Balancing Equations

• What is one way to show a chemical reaction?

  Using a word equation
• What do we call the substances that react in a chemical equation?

  Reactants
• What are the substances produced in a chemical reaction called?

  Products
• What does the single arrow in a chemical equation represent?

  Reactants react completely to form products
• What is the symbol for methane in a chemical equation?

  $CH_4$
• What is the symbol for oxygen in a chemical equation?

  $O_2$
• Why do we write $O_2$ instead of $O$ in chemical equations?


  Oxygen exists as a molecule of two atoms
• What is required for a chemical equation to be balanced?

  Same total number of each type of atom
• How many carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms are on the left side of the equation?

  1 carbon, 4 hydrogens, 2 oxygens
• How many carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms are on the right side of the equation?

  1 carbon, 2 hydrogens, 3 oxygens
• What is the first rule of balancing chemical equations?

  Do not change any of the small numbers
• Why can't we change the small numbers in a chemical equation?

  It changes the actual type of chemicals
• How do we increase the number of oxygen atoms on the left side?

  Put a 2 in front of $O_2$
• What happens if we need a fraction of a molecule when balancing equations?

  We round up to the nearest whole number
• How do we balance the number of hydrogens on the right side?

  Increase the number of water molecules
• What is the balanced equation for sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide?

  2 NaOH + H_2SO_4 → Na_2SO_4 + 2 H_2O
• What elements should be balanced first in a chemical equation?

  Least common elements
• How many sodium atoms are on the left side of the equation?

  1 sodium
• How do we fix the sodium imbalance in the equation?

  Put a 2 in front of sodium hydroxide
• What do we need to do after balancing the sodium atoms?

  Count all atoms again for balance
• What should you do when you think the equation is balanced?

  Double check to see if it's balanced
• What are the steps to balance a chemical equation?

  1. Write the unbalanced equation.
  2. Count the number of each type of atom.
  3. Adjust coefficients to balance atoms.
  4. Ensure whole numbers are used.
  5. Double-check for balance.
• What are the common mistakes when balancing chemical equations?

  • Changing small numbers instead of coefficients
  • Using fractions instead of whole numbers
  • Forgetting to double-check the balance
• What is the importance of balancing chemical equations?

  • Conserves mass
  • Follows the law of conservation of matter
  • Ensures accurate representation of reactions