Science Chapter 6 Flashcards
Describe the process of balancing a chemical equation.
Balancing a chemical equation involves ensuring that the number of each type of atom is the same on both the reactant and product sides, which reflects the law of conservation of mass.
Define what a balanced chemical equation is.
A balanced chemical equation is one where the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation, indicating that mass is conserved during the reaction.
How can you verify if a chemical equation is balanced?
You can verify if a chemical equation is balanced by counting the number of each type of atom in the reactants and products and ensuring they are equal.
Explain the significance of the law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions.
The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, meaning the total mass of reactants must equal the total mass of products.
What is the role of coefficients in balancing chemical equations?
Coefficients are used in balancing chemical equations to indicate the number of molecules or moles of each substance involved in the reaction, helping to achieve balance.
Identify the first step in balancing a chemical equation.
The first step in balancing a chemical equation is to write down the unbalanced equation and count the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and products.
What happens if a chemical equation is unbalanced?
If a chemical equation is unbalanced, it does not accurately represent the reaction, violating the law of conservation of mass and leading to incorrect stoichiometric calculations.
What is the importance of balancing chemical equations in chemistry?
Balancing chemical equations is crucial in chemistry as it ensures accurate representation of reactions, allows for correct stoichiometric calculations, and adheres to the law of conservation of mass.
Define a chemical compound.
A chemical compound is a group of different elements joined together by sharing or transferring electrons.
Describe how covalent compounds are formed.
Covalent compounds form when two or more atoms combine by sharing electrons.
What is the smallest unit of a covalent compound called?
The smallest unit of a covalent compound is called a molecule.
Explain the difference between ionic and covalent bonds.
Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons between atoms, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons.
Describe the significance of subscripts in chemical formulas.
Subscripts indicate the number of specific types of atoms present in a compound; no subscript means there is only one atom of that element.
Define the chemical formula for water and its components.
The chemical formula for water is H2O, which consists of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.
Identify the chemical formula for carbon dioxide and its atomic composition.
The chemical formula for carbon dioxide is CO2, which consists of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.
Explain the chemical formula for salt and its elements.
The chemical formula for salt is NaCl, which consists of 1 sodium atom and 1 chlorine atom.
Describe the law of the conservation of mass.
The law of the conservation of mass states that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction, meaning the mass of all reactants must equal the mass of all products.
How does combustion relate to the conservation of mass?
During combustion, wood reacts with oxygen, producing ashes, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The total mass of the reactants (wood and oxygen) equals the total mass of the products (ashes, carbon dioxide, and water vapor), demonstrating the conservation of mass.
What happens to wood when it burns in a campfire?
When wood burns, it undergoes a chemical reaction with oxygen, resulting in ashes and gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor, but the total mass remains constant.
Define mass
Mass is a measure of how much matter is present in a substance.
Explain the significance of measuring mass before and after a fire.
Measuring the mass of wood and oxygen before the fire and the mass of smoke and ashes after burning demonstrates that the total mass remains the same, illustrating the law of conservation of mass.
Reflect on the observable changes during the burning of wood.
As wood burns, it transforms into ashes and releases gases, but the total mass of the reactants and products remains equal, showcasing the principle of mass conservation.
Describe the law of conservation of mass in relation to chemical reactions.
The law of conservation of mass states that the total mass of matter remains constant before and after a chemical reaction; matter is neither created nor destroyed, only changed in form.
How are reactants and products represented in a chemical equation?
In a chemical equation, reactants are listed on the left side and products are listed on the right side, using chemical formulas and symbols to represent the substances involved.
Define what a reactant is in a chemical reaction.
A reactant is a substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a chemical reaction.
Explain the significance of chemical equations in understanding chemical reactions.
Chemical equations represent the conservation of mass, showing that the mass of all reactants must equal the mass of all products in a reaction.
