BALANCING CHEMICAL REACTIONS

Front

What is a balanced chemical equation?

Back

A balanced chemical equation has the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, indicating that mass is conserved during the reaction.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only change forms.

Front

What are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are numbers placed in front of compounds in a chemical equation to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

How do you determine if a chemical equation is balanced?

Back

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. If they are equal, the equation is balanced.

Front

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Back

The first step is to write down the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Front

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Back

To balance a chemical equation means to adjust the coefficients so that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the combustion of methane (CH4)?

Back

The balanced equation is: CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O.

Front

What is the balanced equation for the reaction of propane (C3H8) with oxygen?

Back

The balanced equation is: C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O.

Front

What is the significance of balancing chemical equations in chemistry?

Back

Balancing chemical equations is crucial for accurately representing the quantities of reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction.

Front

What is an unbalanced chemical equation?

Back

An unbalanced chemical equation is one where the number of atoms of each element is not the same on both sides of the equation.