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Balancing Chemical Equations

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Balancing Chemical Equations

Choose the best answer, complete each equation with the smallest whole-number coefficients, and explain your reasoning where asked. Leave a formula's subscripts unchanged.

Chemical Equation Basics

A chemical equation represents a reaction. Reactants are written before the arrow; products are written after it. The arrow shows the direction of the reaction. During a reaction, atoms are rearranged, not created or destroyed, so each element must have the same atom count on both sides.

1.In the equation N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃, what are the substances written before the arrow called?

Products
Reactants
Coefficients
Subscripts

2.What does the arrow mean in the equation 2K + Br₂ → 2KBr?

The products are separated from the reactants
The reactants form the products
The atoms disappear
The substances are being counted

3.Why should a balanced equation show the same number of atoms of each element on both sides?

4.Match each term with its description.

Reactant
Product
Coefficient
Subscript

Substance formed in a reaction
Small number within a formula that shows atoms in one particle
Number placed before a formula
Starting substance in a reaction

Balance the Equations

Add coefficients in front of formulas to balance each equation. Use the smallest whole-number coefficients. A coefficient of 1 may be written in your answer, even though it is usually omitted in a finished equation.

5.Balance: ___ Zn + ___ O₂ → ___ ZnO

6.Balance: ___ H₂ + ___ F₂ → ___ HF

7.Balance: ___ Li + ___ H₂O → ___ LiOH + ___ H₂

8.Balance: ___ Ba + ___ O₂ → ___ BaO

9.Which equation is balanced as written?

Na + Cl₂ → NaCl
2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
Mg + O₂ → MgO
Al + Cl₂ → AlCl₃

Put Your Skills to Work

Check every element separately. Adjust coefficients only; changing a subscript changes the substance.

10.Balance: ___ Fe + ___ O₂ → ___ Fe₂O₃

11.Balance the combustion equation: ___ C₂H₆ + ___ O₂ → ___ CO₂ + ___ H₂O

12.A student changes H₂O to H₂O₂ to make the oxygen count match in an equation. Explain why this is not a valid way to balance an equation.

13.In your own words, describe what it means for an equation to be balanced. Include how the atom counts compare.

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5th Grade

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing Chemical Equations

Chemical Equation Basics

Balance the Equations

Put Your Skills to Work

3 printable pages

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

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