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Why must you balance an equation to describe correctly what happens in a chemical reaction?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The Law of Conservation of Mass applies.
For any reaction
A + B = C + D
The total mass of 'A' & 'B' must equal the total mass of 'C' & 'D'.
Numerically, 20g(A) + 25g(B) = 45 g
So the total of 'C; & 'D; must equal 45g. However, individually 'C' may be 30 g & 'D' 15g = So 30g + 15 g = 45 g as before.
Now going into a reaction equation.
H2SO4 + 2NaOH = NaSO4 + H2O
This equation in incorrect , because you have lost mass on the right hand side These is 1 x sodium (Na) and 1 x water (H2O) missing, So mass is NOT conserved.
The BALANCED equation is
H2SO4 + 2NaOH = Na2SO4 + 2H2O
The numbers of each type of atom are the samer on both sides of the equation ,so since atoms have mass, the balanced equation conserves mass.
Hope that helps!!!!
lenpollock
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoI think that it has to do with the law of conservation of mass. The total mass of the products must equal the total mass of the reactants.
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An expression in which symbols and formulae represent a chemical reaction?
A stoichiometric equation is a notation that describes a chemical reaction using chemical formulae. An example is CH4 + 2 O2 -> CO2 + 2 H2O
What is a method to indicate reactants and products of a chemical reaction using chemical formulas?
In a correctly written chemical equation, reactants are the substances to the left of the arrow, and products are the substances to the right of the arrow. The reactants are what you have before the reaction starts, and the products are what you have when the reaction is over.
A chemical reaction can be concisely represented by a chemical what?
A chemical reaction can be represented by a chemical equation.
What is the reaction in the chemical equation?
A chemical equation is the graphic form of the reaction.
A shorthand description of a chemical reaction using chemical formulas and symbols is a chemical what?
A chemical equation is a shorthand description of a chemical reaction.
When a chemical symbols and formulas are used as a shortcut to describe a chemical reaction is?
A chemical equation is used as a shortcut to describe a chemical reaction.
Relationship of chemical formula chemical reaction and chemical equation?
Chemical formula is representative for the chemical compositon of a compound. Chemical equation is representative (describe) for a chemical reaction.
An expression used to describe a chemical reaction is called a?
chemical equation
Do chemical equations describe chemical reactions?
A chemical equation is a short way to describe a chemical reaction, so yes.
An expression in which symbols and formulae represent a chemical reaction?
A stoichiometric equation is a notation that describes a chemical reaction using chemical formulae. An example is CH4 + 2 O2 -> CO2 + 2 H2O
Is ionic equation and balanced equation are the same equations?
No, but both describe the same chemical reaction.
What is a method to indicate reactants and products of a chemical reaction using chemical formulas?
In a correctly written chemical equation, reactants are the substances to the left of the arrow, and products are the substances to the right of the arrow. The reactants are what you have before the reaction starts, and the products are what you have when the reaction is over.
A chemical reaction can be concisely represented by a chemical what?
A chemical reaction can be represented by a chemical equation.
Define chemical reaction and chemical equation?
We see the chemical reaction but we write the chemical equation.
How can the efficiency of a chemical reaction be expressed?
A chemical reaction is represented by a chemical equation.
What is the reaction in the chemical equation?
A chemical equation is the graphic form of the reaction.
Why cant an unbalanced chemical equation fully describe a reaction?
The amounts of reactants and products are not mentioned.
