Balancing Chemical Equations

Name:

Date:

Chemical equation balancing illustration

🎯 Learning Goals

WALT (We Are Learning To): Balance chemical equations using the law of conservation of mass

Success Criteria - Tick your level:

Level 1: I can identify reactants and products and explain the law of conservation of mass

Level 2: I can balance given chemical equations with guidance and recognise patterns

Level 3: I can independently balance complex chemical equations and explain my method

📚 Part 1: Understanding Chemical Equations

1. In the equation H₂ + O₂ → H₂O, which are the reactants?

H₂ only

H₂ and O₂

H₂O only

O₂ only

2. The law of conservation of mass states that:

Atoms can be created during reactions

Mass of reactants equals mass of products

Atoms disappear in chemical reactions

Products weigh more than reactants

3. Count the atoms in the unbalanced equation: Mg + O₂ → MgO

Left side: Mg atoms = _____, O atoms = _____

Right side: Mg atoms = _____, O atoms = _____

Is this equation balanced? _____

4. Why do we use coefficients (numbers in front) to balance equations rather than changing the chemical formulas?

⚖️ Part 2: Balancing Practice

5. Balance this equation by adding coefficients: ___Fe + ___O₂ → ___Fe₂O₃

6. Balance this combustion reaction: ___CH₄ + ___O₂ → ___CO₂ + ___H₂O

7. Balance this more challenging equation: ___Al + ___CuSO₄ → ___Al₂(SO₄)₃ + ___Cu

8. Extension Challenge: Balance this redox equation: ___KMnO₄ + ___HCl → ___KCl + ___MnCl₂ + ___H₂O + ___Cl₂

9. Explain your strategy for balancing chemical equations. What order do you balance atoms in?

10. Real-world connection: Explain how balancing equations relates to baking a cake. Why is it important to have the right proportions?

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing Chemical Equations

🎯 Learning Goals

📚 Part 1: Understanding Chemical Equations

⚖️ Part 2: Balancing Practice

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

More Science Worksheets

Science Skills Review Worksheet

Year 3 Science Comprehension

Year 6 Science Exploration

Homeschool Science Worksheet

Earth Science Exploration Worksheet

Earth Science Question Worksheet

Soil Science Through Drama

Elemental Science Exploration

Explore more free resources