1. Balancing Chemical Equations
Unit 7 Notes

2. Conservation of Mass
Reactions conserve mass - Mass not created or destroyed
A reaction rearranges atoms, does not destroy or create them
Balanced equation – same number of each element on both sides

3. Coefficients vs Subscripts
Subscripts – part of a chemical formula – CANNOT CHANGE
Coefficients – whole number in front of a formula – YOU CAN CHANGE

4. 2 H2O Underlined 2 in front is coefficient, you can change
Little 2 between H & O part of formula for water, can’t change

5. Steps to balancing equation
Identify Reactants and Products
Count the atoms
Insert coefficients
Verify your results