Balanced Chemical Equation Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Balanced Chemical Equation?
A balanced chemical equation is an equation in which the same number of atoms of each element are present on both sides. Essentially, a balanced chemical equation ensures that the amount of starting material and the amount of product are equal. This is important for accurately representing a chemical reaction, as it helps to make sure that the reaction is correctly balanced between reactants and products.For example, consider a combustion reaction between methane (CH4) and oxygen (O2) to form carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The unbalanced chemical equation would look like this: CH4 + O2 → CO2 + H2O. In order to balance this equation, we need to ensure that there are an equal number of atoms on both sides. To do so, we can add coefficients in front of each compound; adding two molecules of O2 on the left side gives us: 2O2 + CH4 → CO2 + H2O. Now we have four oxygen atoms on both sides, so we can move onto balancing other elements. Adding two molecules of H20 on the right side gives us: 2O2 + CH4 → CO2 + 2H20. Now there are eight hydrogen atoms on either side as well, so this is now a balanced chemical equation. In conclusion, a balanced chemical equation ensures that there are equal amounts of starting material and end product for any given reaction. By manipulating coefficients next to compounds in an unbalanced equation until all elements have equal numbers of atoms on either side, one can easily balance any given reaction.