Using Balanced Equations

What does the sum of the formula mass of the reactants equal to in an equation?

The sum of the formula mass of the products.

What if you’re asked what mass of a product will be formed from a given mass of a specific reactant? (step 1)

Balance the symbol equation

What if you’re asked what mass of a product will be formed from a given mass of a specific reactant? (step 2)

Calculate moles of the substance with a known mass using moles= mass/Mr

What if you’re asked what mass of a product will be formed from a given mass of a specific reactant? (step 3)

Using the balanced symbol equation, work out the number of moles of the unknown substance.

What if you’re asked what mass of a product will be formed from a given mass of a specific reactant? (step 4)

Calculate the mass of the unknown substance using mass= moles × Mr

What if you’re asked to balance an equation? (step 1)

Work out Mr of all the substances.

What if you’re asked to balance an equation? (step 2)

Calculate the number of moles of each substance in the reaction using moles= mass/Mr

What if you’re asked to balance an equation? (step 3)

Convert to a whole number ratio.

What if you’re asked to balance an equation? (step 4)

Balance the symbol equation.