A chemical equation is said to be balanced if number ofa)Compounds are...
Explanation:
To understand why the correct answer is option 'C', let's first understand what a balanced chemical equation is.
What is a balanced chemical equation?
A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical reaction in which the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. In other words, the equation obeys the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Why is it important to balance a chemical equation?
Balancing a chemical equation is important because it allows us to accurately represent the reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction. It ensures that the equation obeys the law of conservation of mass and provides a quantitative understanding of the chemical reaction.
How to balance a chemical equation?
To balance a chemical equation, we need to adjust the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Here's a step-by-step process to balance a chemical equation:
Step 1: Write down the unbalanced equation with the correct chemical formulas for the reactants and products.
Step 2: Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Step 3: Identify the elements that are unbalanced and determine how many atoms of each element need to be balanced.
Step 4: Start adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to balance the atoms of the elements that are unbalanced.
Step 5: Continue adjusting coefficients until the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Step 6: Double-check that the equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms of each element again.
Why is the balanced chemical equation based on the number of atoms?
The balanced chemical equation represents the conservation of matter in a chemical reaction. The law of conservation of mass states that the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products. Since atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, balancing the equation based on the number of atoms ensures that the total mass is conserved.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a chemical equation is said to be balanced if the number of atoms is the same on both sides. Balancing a chemical equation is important to accurately represent a chemical reaction and ensure the conservation of mass. By adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas, we can balance the equation and provide a quantitative understanding of the reaction.