Which of the following describes what it means for a chemical equation to be balanced?
It has the same type of molecules on both sides in the same order.
It has the same type of molecules on both sides in the same order.
It has the same number of atoms on both sides for each specific type of atom.
It has the same number of atoms on both sides for each specific type of atom.
It has the same number of molecules on both sides for each specific type of molecule.
It has the same number of molecules on both sides for each specific type of molecule.
It has the same type of atoms on both sides in the same order.
The correct answer is "It has the same number of atoms on both sides for each specific type of atom."
The correct answer is:
- It has the same number of atoms on both sides for each specific type of atom.
The correct answer is: "It has the same number of atoms on both sides for each specific type of atom."
To determine if a chemical equation is balanced, you need to look at the number of atoms on both sides of the equation for each specific type of atom. A balanced equation means that the total number of each type of atom is the same on both sides.
To balance a chemical equation, you can follow these steps:
1. Write down the chemical equation, making sure it is correctly written with the proper formulas.
2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
3. Identify the elements that are unbalanced, i.e., have different numbers of atoms on each side.
4. Use coefficients (whole numbers placed in front of the formulas or molecules) to balance the equation.
- These coefficients represent the ratio of molecules or moles involved in the reaction.
- You can adjust the coefficients by trial and error or by using algebraic methods.
5. Double-check that the equation is balanced by counting the atoms of each element to ensure they are the same on both sides.
Remember, it is crucial to have a balanced chemical equation because it reflects the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, only rearranged.