Balancing Chemical Equations and Types of Reactions

These flashcards cover key concepts about balancing chemical equations and types of chemical reactions, providing a comprehensive review for exam preparation.

What is the main purpose of balancing a chemical equation?

To ensure that the equation supports the law of conservation of mass by having equal numbers of atoms of each element on both sides.

What is a skeleton equation?

A general equation with appropriate chemical formulas for the reactants and products, showing the states of each.

What should never be changed when balancing chemical equations?

The subscripts of the chemical formulas.

What is a combination reaction?

A chemical change in which two or more substances react to form a single new substance.

What is a decomposition reaction?

A chemical change in which a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler products.

Define a single replacement reaction.

A chemical change in which one element replaces a second element in a compound.

What characterizes a double replacement reaction?

Involves an exchange of positive ions between two compounds, generally occurring in aqueous solutions.

What is an important factor for a double replacement reaction to occur?

One of the products must be a gas, a precipitate, or a molecular compound like water.

How are coefficients used in balancing chemical equations?

They are multiplied by reactants and products to equalize the number of atoms of each element on each side.

What should you do after adding coefficients to balance an equation?

Always double check to ensure the equation is still balanced.