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Chapter 4: Q1 E (page 214)

What does it mean to say an equation is balanced? Why is it important for an equation to be balanced?

Short Answer

Expert verified

An equation is said to be balanced when the number of atoms of reactants is equal to the number of atoms of products.

A balanced equation demonstrates the law of conservation of matter. Further, it is helpful for quantitative studies.

Step by step solution

01

Balanced equation

A balanced equation is one containing equal numbers of atoms on the reactant and product sides of a chemical reaction. The equation is balanced by using small whole number coefficients placed on the left of the chemical formulae. The numerical subscripts within the formula cannot be changed.

02

Significance of balanced equation

A balanced chemical equation indicates the ratio of reactants and products. Hence it is quite useful in quantitative measurements. It further establishes the law of conservation of matter. The coefficients obtained from the balanced equation can be used for any number of units of amount or quantity.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What mass of CO is required to react with 25.13g of Fe2O3 according to the equation

\(F{e_2}{O_3} + CO \to 2Fe + 3C{O_2}\)

In a laboratory experiment, the reaction of 3.0 mol of\({H_2}\)with 2.0 mol of\({I_2}\)produced 1.0 mol of HI. Determine the theoretical yield in grams and the percent yield for this reaction.

Assign oxidation state to elements whose atoms are underlined in each of the following compounds or ions:

  1. KNO3
  2. AlH3
  3. NH4+
  4. H2PO4-

In a common medical laboratory determination of the concentration of free chloride ion in blood serum, a serum sample is titrated with a Hg(NO3)2 solution.

2Cl−(aq) + Hg(NO3)2(aq)⟶2NO3−(aq) + HgCl2(s)

What is the Cl− concentration in a 0.25-mL sample of normal serum that requires 1.46 mL of 8.25×10−4MHg(NO3)2(aq) to reach the end point?

Diatomic chlorine and sodium hydroxide(lye) are commodity chemicals produced in large quantities, along with diatomic hydrogen via the electrolysis of brine according to the following unbalanced equation:

\[NaCl\left( {aq} \right) + {H_2}O\left( l \right) \to NaOH\left( {aq} \right) + {H_2}\left( g \right) + C{l_2}\left( g \right).\]

Write balanced molecular, complete ionic, and net ionic equations for this process.
See all solutions

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