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How does the law of conservation of mass relate to balancing a chemical equation containing coefficients?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The Law of Conservation of Mass says that mass is neither created or destroyed. Think of mass as just being shifted from one place to the other. In a chemical equation, it has to get shifted evenly. Since a chemical equation is just that...an equation, it must be balanced/equal on each side. What ever elements are on the reactant side must, in some way, be equal to the elements on the product side. Even though you are sending the reactant elements through some type of chemical reaction (oxidation, combustion, etc) the product elements still have to come out evenly on their side of the equation. Otherwise, something would be created or destroyed and that's not possible according to LOCOM. Scientists use coefficients to balance out the elements based on total number of atoms of each element per side.
H6 + O > 6H2O 7 atoms >18 atoms Unbalanced (would show that atoms were created and according to the LOCOM that's not possible.)
2H6 + 6O > 6H2O 18 atoms > 18 atoms Balanced (Adding coefficients on the Reactant side to balance the atoms allows this equation to meet the requirements of the LOCOM.)
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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What is the final step in the process of balancing a chemical equation?
Checking of the coefficients.
When balancing a chemical equation what is allowed to adjust?
Coefficients of molecules are adjusted.
What is the number to the left to a chemical formula?
Balancing a chemical equation can often require a whole-number coefficient placed in front of a chemical formula. This upholds the Law of Conservation of Matter, which says that matter cannot be created or destroyed. These coefficients must be in the lowest possible ratio.
What has to happen for a chemical equation to be balanced?
There has to be the same numbers and types of elements on both sides of the equation. This is accomplished by adding coefficients in front of the chemical formulas as needed. Never change a formula when balancing an equation.
How do you banlance chemical equations?
You add whole number coefficients before each substance in the equation as needed until the number of atoms on the reactant side equals the number of atoms on the product side. For example, in the unbalanced equation: Cu + AlCl3 --> CuCl2 + Al, the number of copper and chlorine atoms on one side does not equal the other side. However, by adding coefficients to make the equation read 3Cu + 2AlCl3 --> 3CuCl2 + 2Al, everything adds up. Things to remember: balancing a chemical equation upholds the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed; and also the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation represent mole ratios.
What is the final step in the process of balancing a chemical equation?
Checking of the coefficients.
When balancing a chemical equation what is allowed to adjust?
Coefficients of molecules are adjusted.
What law is Balancing Chemical equations is a result of?
The conservation of mass
How can you balance a chemical equation by changing the subscripts?
Balancing only allows you to change the coefficients, NOT the subscripts.
What is the coefficent that shows in a chemical equation?
Equations for chemical reactions may require one or more whole-number coefficients in order for the equation to balance. Balancing a chemical equation upholds the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. The coefficients represent molar ratios of reactants and products. Performing stoichiometric calculations is largely dependent upon these correct molar proportions.
Which law physical science must be followed when balancing chemical equations?
the law of conservation of mass
What law of chemical change is followed in balancing chemical equation?
The laws of conservation of mass and of numbers of each type of atom.
The process of changing coefficients in a chemical reaction?
It's called balancing the equation. You did it so that both the reactants and the products have the same amount of the substances.
What is the number to the left to a chemical formula?
Balancing a chemical equation can often require a whole-number coefficient placed in front of a chemical formula. This upholds the Law of Conservation of Matter, which says that matter cannot be created or destroyed. These coefficients must be in the lowest possible ratio.
What doese a coefficient tell you?
In chemistry, a coefficient in front of a chemical formula tells you how many moles you have. When balancing a chemical equation, the law of conservation of matter must be upheld. To do this, you add coefficients as needed, and these coefficients represent mole ratios of either reactants or products.
What the steps for balancing chemical equations?
Which of the following are steps for balancing chemical equations? Check all that apply. B. Choose coefficients that will balance the equation. And D. Recheck the numbers of each atom on each side of the equation to make sure the sides are equal. Apex
Why must chemical equations be balanced using coefficients?
The number of atoms in the reactant and products must be equal to obey the law of conservation of mass.
