Primary Type: Virtual Manipulative
Status: Published
This is a resource from CPALMS (www.cpalms.org) where all educators go for bright ideas!
Resource ID#: 51634
Direct Link: http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/balancing-chemical-equations/latest/balancing-chemical-equations_en.html
Balancing Chemical Equations
This activity will allow you to practice balancing a chemical equation. You will have to make sure you are following the law of conservation of mass
and recognize what can change to balance an equation.
You can:
Balance a chemical equation.
Recognize that the number of atoms of each element is conserved in a chemical reaction.
Describe the difference between coefficients and subscripts in a chemical equation.
Translate from symbolic to molecular representation.
An assessment activity is included below.
Click to Run
Subject(s): Science
Grade Level(s): 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Intended Audience: Educators , Students , Parents
Suggested Technology: Java Plugin
Freely Available: Yes
Keywords: Chemical Equations, Law of conservation of mass.
Resource Collection: Games and Simulations
ATTACHMENTS
BalancingChemicalEquations_AnswerKey.docx
BalancingChemicalEquations_assessment.docx
page 1 of 2 Additional Information/Instructions
By Author/Submitter
Instructional Plan
This simulation can be used successfully in homework, lectures, in-class activities and lab activities. Follow the directions on the website to run the simulation and explore the
activities of balancing the chemical equation.
Suggested Assessment Questions
1. Balance the following equation:
____ N2 + ____ H2 ⇒ ____ NH3
2. Draw the particle view of the balanced equation.
_______________________ ⇒ ___________________________
3. Describe the purpose of the balance scales and bar charts in the simulation.
4. In order for a chemical equation to be properly balanced, what must be true?
5. Balance the two examples:
Separation of water
___ H2O ⇒___ H2 + ___ O2
Combustion of methane
___ CH4 + ___ O2 ⇒ ___ CO2 + ___ H2O
6. The number placed in front of a formula is called a coefficient. The small number within a chemical formula is called a subscript. Why do we adjust coefficients when
balancing chemical equations and not subscripts?
The answer key is provided in the attachments section.
SOURCE AND ACCESS INFORMATION
Contributed by: rinki suryavanshi
Name of Author/Source: PhET
District/Organization of Contributor(s): Leon
Is this Resource freely Available? Yes
Access Privileges: Public
License: CPALMS License - no distribution - non commercial
Related Standards
Name
SC.8.P.9.1:
SC.912.P.8.7:
Description
Explore the Law of Conservation of Mass by demonstrating and concluding that mass is conserved when substances
undergo physical and chemical changes.
Interpret formula representations of molecules and compounds in terms of composition and structure.
Remarks/Examples:
Write chemical formulas for simple covalent (HCl, SO2, CO2, and CH4), ionic (Na+ + Cl- +NaCl) and molecular
(O2, H2O) compounds. Predict the formulas of ionic compounds based on the number of valence electrons and
the charges on the ions.
page 2 of 2