balancing chemical equations

Question 1

chemical reaction

Answer 1

A chemical reaction is the actual process where substances (reactants) are transformed into new substances (products).

It involves breaking chemical bonds in reactants and forming new bonds in products.

Example: When hydrogen reacts with oxygen to form water, the reaction is the change that occurs.

Question 2

chemical equation

Answer 2

A chemical equation is the representation of a chemical reaction using symbols and formulas.

It shows reactants on one side, products on the other, and an arrow indicating the direction of the reaction.

Question 3

why do chemical equations need to be balanced

Answer 3

law of conservation of mass: this fundamental principle states that mass cannot be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. therefore, the mass of the reactants must equal the mass of the products.