Reactions: Balancing Chemical Equations

The video tutorial explains the law of conservation of mass, stating that mass is neither lost nor gained in a chemical reaction. It illustrates this concept using the combustion of methane, a component of natural gas, which reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. The tutorial demonstrates how to balance the chemical equation for this reaction by adding coefficients to ensure the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

What does the law of conservation of mass state about chemical reactions?

• Mass remains constant during a chemical reaction.

• Mass is destroyed during a chemical reaction.

• Mass is irrelevant in a chemical reaction.

• Mass is created during a chemical reaction.

What is the main component of natural gas that reacts with oxygen during combustion?

• Butane

• Ethane

• Methane

• Propane

What are the products formed when methane combusts with oxygen?

• Methane and oxygen

• Carbon dioxide and water

• Carbon dioxide and hydrogen

• Carbon monoxide and water

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

• A number indicating the temperature of the reaction

• A number representing the pressure of the reaction

• A number showing the speed of the reaction

• A number written in front of elements or compounds to balance the equation

How do you balance the chemical equation for the combustion of methane?

• Add a 1 in front of O2 and a 1 in front of CO2

• Add a 4 in front of CH4 and a 4 in front of H2O

• Add a 2 in front of O2 and a 2 in front of H2O

• Add a 3 in front of CH4 and a 3 in front of CO2