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Chemistry vocabulary · Reactions and Equations

Balanced equation

Meaning in chemistry, with examples

nounCore term

In chemistry, balanced equation means: A chemical equation with the same number of atoms of each element on both sides and the same total charge, so that mass is conserved.

In Turkish: denkleştirilmiş denklem, denk tepkime denklemi

How it is used

Needed before any calculation with amounts. You balance an equation by changing the coefficients (the numbers in front of the formulas), never the subscripts. 'Is the equation balanced?' is a common exam and lab question.

Example sentences

  1. The balanced equation is 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.

  2. Use the mole ratio from the balanced equation to find the mass of product.

Common collocations

  • balance an equation
  • balanced chemical equation
  • coefficients
  • mole ratio
  • chemical equationA short written description of a reaction using formulas and symbols, with the reactants on the left, an arrow in the middle and the products on the right.
  • stoichiometryThe calculation of the amounts of reactants and products in a reaction, using the mole ratios from the balanced equation.
  • moleThe SI unit for amount of substance. One of these units contains about 6.022 × 10²³ particles, which lets chemists count atoms and molecules by weighing them.
  • reactantA starting substance that is used up or changed in a chemical reaction. In an equation, these substances are written to the left of the arrow.

More terms: Reactions and Equations

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