BALANCED EQUATION Meaning and
Definition
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A balanced equation is a representation of a chemical reaction that accurately accounts for the mass of all reactants and products involved. In a balanced equation, the number of atoms of every element on both sides of the equation is equal. This is achieved by adjusting the coefficients of the reactants and products, which represent the number of moles of each substance.
To balance an equation, one must carefully analyze the reactants and products to determine the ratio in which they combine or produce. Coefficients are then added to each substance to ensure that the equation obeys the law of conservation of mass. This law states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, only rearranged. Thus, the total mass of reactants must equal the total mass of products.
For example, in the balanced equation 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, two molecules of hydrogen (H₂) combine with one molecule of oxygen (O₂) to form two molecules of water (H₂O). The coefficient 2 in front of H₂ and H₂O ensures that the reaction obeys the law of conservation of mass, as it balances the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation.
Balanced equations are crucial in chemistry as they provide a precise description of the reactants and products in a chemical reaction, allowing scientists to understand the stoichiometry or the quantitative relationship between substances participating in the reaction.
Common Misspellings for BALANCED EQUATION
- valanced equation
- nalanced equation
- halanced equation
- galanced equation
- bzlanced equation
- bslanced equation
- bwlanced equation
- bqlanced equation
- bakanced equation
- bapanced equation
- baoanced equation
- balznced equation
- balsnced equation
- balwnced equation
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- balabced equation
- balamced equation
- balajced equation
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- balanxed equation
Etymology of BALANCED EQUATION
The word "balanced" in "balanced equation" comes from the Latin word "bilancia", which means balance or scale. In this context, it refers to the concept of balancing the number of atoms on both sides of a chemical equation. It signifies the equality between the reactant and product sides of the equation, ensuring that the total mass and charge is conserved.
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