What does it mean for an equation to be balanced and why must you keep an equation in balance?
Can someone explain in there own words please
The terms on both sides of an equal sign must be equal.
We can't say
3 = 6
or
2 * 5 = 3 * 5
Okay thanks i get it now
You're welcome. :-)
When an equation is balanced, it means that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is the same. In other words, the equation follows the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed.
To balance an equation, you need to adjust the coefficients (the numbers in front of the chemical formulas) so that the same number of atoms of each element appears on both sides. This is important because an unbalanced equation does not accurately represent the chemical reaction taking place.
By keeping an equation in balance, we ensure that the reactants and products are in the correct proportions. This allows us to determine the stoichiometry (the ratio of reactants and products) and understand the amounts of substances involved in the reaction.
Balanced equations also help with calculations such as determining the limiting reactant or calculating the theoretical yield of a reaction. In addition, they provide a clear representation of the chemical reaction, making it easier to communicate and understand the process.