Chemical Equations Flashcards

Flashcards to help review chemical equations concepts.

What is a chemical equation?

The symbolic representation of a chemical reaction using symbols and formulae, consisting of reactants, an arrow, and products.

What is the role of a coefficient in a chemical equation?

A number before the symbol or formula of a substance, indicating the quantity of that substance.

What is the role of a subscript in the chemical equation?

The number of atoms of an element found in a substance.

What does '(l)' indicate in a chemical equation?

The substance is in the liquid state.

What does '(g)' indicate in a chemical equation?

The substance is in the gas state.

What does '(aq)' indicate in a chemical equation?

The substance is dissolved in water (aqueous solution).

What does the delta symbol 'Δ' indicate in a chemical equation?

Heat is applied or needed to make the reaction proceed.

What rule must you follow when balancing chemical equations?

You can only add coefficients to balance chemical equations.

Where do coefficients go in a chemical equation?

Coefficients come in front of a molecule.

Why can't subscripts be used to balance equations?

Changing subscripts alters the chemical formula, which changes the substance itself.

What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Count the number of atoms of each element on each side of the equation.

State the law of conservation of mass

Mass is neither created nor destroyed in any ordinary chemical reaction