Balancing Chemical Equations

• What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

  To ensure the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
• What is a chemical formula?

  • Represents the composition of a compound
  • Uses capital letters for elements
  • Indicates the number of atoms with subscripts
• What elements are present in sodium carbonate?

  Sodium, carbon, and oxygen.
• What does a subscript in a chemical formula indicate?

  It indicates the number of atoms of the element in the compound.
• What does a lack of a subscript next to an element signify?

  It signifies that there is one atom of that element.
• Why is it important not to change the small numbers in a chemical formula?

  Changing small numbers alters the identity of the molecule.
• What does placing a large number in front of a chemical formula represent?

  It represents the number of molecules of that compound.
• What is a balanced chemical equation?

  An equation where the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
• How can you determine if a chemical equation is balanced?

  By counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
• What steps should you follow to balance a chemical equation?

  1. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  2. Identify which elements are not balanced.
  3. Use large numbers in front of compounds to balance the atoms.
  4. Repeat until all elements are balanced.
• How would you balance the equation for sodium plus iodine making sodium iodide?

  Place a large 2 in front of sodium iodide and a large 2 in front of sodium.
• What happens to the number of hydrogen and chlorine atoms when balancing the equation for calcium oxide plus hydrochloric acid?

  • Hydrogen: Increase to 2 on both sides
  • Chlorine: Increase to 2 on both sides
• How do you balance the equation for iron oxide reacting with carbon monoxide?

  Add a large 3 in front of carbon monoxide to balance the equation.
• What is the significance of balancing chemical equations in chemistry?

  • Ensures conservation of mass
  • Reflects the actual chemical reaction
  • Allows for accurate predictions of product amounts