Question

(a) What scientific principle or law is used in the process of balancing chemical equations? (b) In balancing equations is it acceptable to change the coefficients, the subscripts in the chemical formula, or both?

Short answer

(a) The scientific principle or law used in the process of balancing chemical equations is the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that matter cannot be created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction but can only be converted from one form to another. (b) In balancing equations, it is acceptable to change only the coefficients and not the subscripts in the chemical formula. Changing the coefficients ensures that the same number of atoms for each element are present on both sides of the equation, while preserving the chemical identity of each substance in the reaction.

Step-by-step solution

Answer to (a) - Identifying the scientific principle or law

The scientific principle or law used in the process of balancing chemical equations is the Law of Conservation of Mass. This law states that matter cannot be created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction, but can only be converted from one form to another. Therefore, the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.

Answer to (b) - Rules for balancing chemical equations

When balancing equations, it is acceptable to change only the coefficients, not the subscripts in the chemical formula. Changing the coefficients ensures that the same number of atoms for each element are present on both sides of the equation, while preserving the chemical identity of each substance in the reaction. Changing the subscripts would, on the other hand, alter the actual chemical identity of the substance and thus create a completely different equation.

Key concepts

Law of Conservation of Mass

The Law of Conservation of Mass is a cornerstone in the study of chemistry and provides the bedrock for understanding chemical equations. This fundamental principle was first put forth by Antoine Lavoisier in the 18th century, and it rigorously transformed the way chemists consider reactions. It asserts that during any chemical reaction, the mass of the substances involved doesn't magically appear or vanish—rather, it's merely rearranged into new combinations. In other words, the mass of the reactants (starting materials) must always equal the mass of the products (substances formed).

Applying this concept when balancing chemical equations is vital. Since matter is neither created nor destroyed, one must ensure that the number of each type of atom on the reactant side is mirrored on the product side, preserving mass throughout the reaction. It's like a complex dance where all participants must end up with a partner, ensuring that nobody is left out. This balance is achieved by adjusting the coefficients — the numbers placed before chemical formulas that indicate the multiples of each compound or molecule involved.

Chemical Reactions

Moving on to chemical reactions, these are the processes by which chemical substances transform into new substances. Through breaking and forming bonds, atoms are rearranged, leading to changes at the molecular level. They can result in a wide range of phenomena from the simple rusting of iron to the intricate processes that fuel living organisms.

Each reaction is depicted using a chemical equation that represents the conversion of reactants to products. Much like a recipe, a chemical equation provides the ingredients (reactants) and the resulting dishes (products), with the additional stipulation of showing how much of each is needed, adhering to the aforementioned Law of Conservation of Mass. Balancing these equations becomes a necessary skill in chemistry; it requires understanding how atoms are conserved during a reaction and ensuring that this conservation is reflected in the written equation. The balancing act, therefore, does not alter what substances are present but ensures that their quantities are represented correctly.

Stoichiometry

Lastly, stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It is derived from the Greek words 'stoicheion' (element) and 'metron' (measure), effectively meaning 'the measure of elements'. In practice, stoichiometry is all about the numbers; it deals with the calculations of the masses and volumes of reactants and products involved in chemical reactions.

Stoichiometry is not just an academic exercise; it has practical applications in fields ranging from pharmaceuticals to environmental science. It requires a balanced chemical equation as its starting point. From there, stoichiometry uses the coefficients from the balanced equation to determine the amounts, whether in moles, grams, or liters, of all the involved compounds. Understanding stoichiometry is essential for predicting the outcomes of reactions and for scaling them up from a laboratory setting to an industrial-scale process. For students, mastering stoichiometry starts with balancing equations and appreciating the conservation of atoms as proposed by the Law of Conservation of Mass.