What makes a chemical equation balanced?
Each element has the same number of atoms on the reactant and product sides.
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Chemistry — Foundation · 5.3.1.1
Revise AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Chemistry — Foundation specification point 5.3.1.1, Conservation of mass and balanced chemical equations, with free active-recall flashcards. Flip through the set or review every question and answer below.
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What makes a chemical equation balanced?
Each element has the same number of atoms on the reactant and product sides.
What do coefficients in a chemical equation indicate, and where are they written?
They indicate the number of whole particles and are written in normal script before a formula.
What do subscripts in a chemical formula indicate?
The number of atoms of each element in one particle of the substance.
When balancing a chemical equation, which numbers may be changed and which must remain unchanged?
Change the coefficients; leave the subscripts in the formulas unchanged.
What does the law of conservation of mass state for a chemical reaction?
The total mass of the products equals the total mass of the reactants.
Why is mass conserved in a chemical reaction?
Atoms are rearranged to form new substances; none are created or destroyed.