Balancing Chemical Equations

The large number in front of a chemical formula that indicates how many molecules or atoms are involved in the reaction.

The small number written after an element symbol that indicates the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

1, 2, 1, 1

4, 3, 2

1, 1, 2

In a chemical reaction, matter is neither created nor destroyed; the mass of the reactants equals the mass of the products.

A substance that undergoes a chemical change in a reaction.

A substance that is formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

To ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

A chemical equation shows the reactants and products, while a balanced chemical equation has equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides.