Balancing Equations

Flashcards covering key concepts related to balancing equations, stoichiometry, and physical states of matter in chemical reactions.

Stoichiometry

The relationship between the number of reactant and product molecules in a chemical equation.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Writing an unbalanced equation with correct formulas, adjusting coefficients to ensure all atoms are balanced.

Macroscopic level

Describes chemical reactions using bulk quantities (e.g., 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l)).

Microscopic level

Describes chemical reactions on a molecular scale (e.g., 2 molecules of hydrogen react with 1 molecule of oxygen).

Stoichiometric coefficients

Numbers in front of formulas that indicate the amount of each substance in a chemical reaction.

Combustion of fuel

A chemical reaction where fuel (like C2H8N2) reacts with an oxidizer (like N2O4), producing gases like CO2 and H2O.

Physical states of matter

Indications of the state of substances in a reaction, such as (g) for gas, (s) for solid, (l) for liquid, and (aq) for aqueous.

Polyatomic ions

Ions composed of two or more atoms that can often be balanced as an entire unit in chemical equations.

Heat (Δ)

A condition that can be shown over the arrow in a chemical equation indicating the reaction requires heat.

Reflux

A condition that can be shown in a chemical reaction indicating the mixture is boiled and the vapor is condensed back to the liquid.