Balancing Chemical Equations

start level 3

1. 1CH4+2O2---->1CO2+2H2O

start level 2

1. 1N2+3H2---> 2NH3 2. 2H2O--> 2H2+ 1O2

what would you say to them in balancing chemical equations?

1. count the elements on each side 2. balance the metals. 3. balance the nonmetals. 4. if steps 2 and 3 unbalance the metals and nonmetals, rebalance. 5. balance oxygen and hydrogen 6. repeat steps until chemical equation is balanced, check work

how do you know if you have a balanced equation?

By the smiley face and if the amounts are the same on both sides.

What do you have to do to the coefficients of equation 1 below to get equation 2? a. can you divide it by another factor and still have it be correct? why? b. write down a method you could use to determine if an equation is written in the correct way

Divide by 2 a. no, you can only divide by 2 b. count the number of atoms on each side.

combustion reaction

a chemical reaction that occurs when a substance reacts with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat and light (combust)

decomposition reaction

a reaction in which a single compound breaks down to form two or simpler substances (separate)

synthesis reaction

a reaction in which two or more substances combine to form a new compound (make)

why is it equal?

because you need to have an equal amount of atoms on both sides to have a balanced equation

why do we adjust coefficients when balancing chemical equations and not subscripts?

if you change subscript, it changes identity of molecule

equations for introduction simulation

make ammonia- 1N2+3H2---> 2NH3 separate water- 2H2O--> 2H2+1O2 combust methane- 1CH4+2O2---> 1CO2+2H2O

First table- molecules

make ammonia- 4 (left) and 2 (right) separate water- 2 (left) and 3 (right) combust methane- 3 (left and right)

second table- atoms

make ammonia- 8 separate water- 6 combust methane- 9

is the number of total molecules on the left side always equal the total number on the right side?

no; these coefficients are used to balance the atoms amount meaning different numbers of molecules

were you able to use integers in the simulation? why?

no; you can't have half of a molecule or an atom

what can you change about the simulation?

the number of atoms per element on each side, and also the balancing of each equation

describe in your own words the purpose of the balance scales and bar charts in the simulation?

to help balance the coefficients and the following equation

is the number equal

yes