GENERAL CHEMISTRY Rules for Balancing Chemical Equations

1ST SEM 2ND QUARTER 1. You can change the coefficients, but never the
subscripts.
2. The coefficients must be reduced to represent the
MOLES
lowest possible numbers.
Moles
3. It is ok to use fraction coefficients, but you must get
- Amount of substance that contains Avogadro’s
rid of them in the end. (Multiply the equation by the
number
denominator.)
- SI unit for is mol
4. Often, it is helpful to do the elements first.
1 mol of X = 6.02 x 10²³
5. Do a final balance check for each element.
Avogadro’s Number
Types of Chemical Reaction
- Grams are always whole number (PT)
1. Combination
- Look for the atomic mass of the element in the
- (A + B —> AB)
periodic table and change the unit
- Two substances combine to form a single
- mol = amu = grams
product.
1 mol of C = 12g
2. Decomposition
- If you double the mol, double the gram as well
- (AB —> A + B)
Atomic Mass
- A single compound decomposes to two or
- Mass of all subatomic particles
more substances.
- Atomic Mass Unit (amu or u)
3. Single Replacement
Carbon - 12 u
- (A + BC —> AC + B) or (A + BC —> BA + C)
Average Atomic Mass
- An active element takes the place of
- Average atomic masses of all natural occurring
another element in a compound. Usually
isotopes of an element
occurs in aqueous solutions. Metal
- Should be in decimal not whole number
replaces metal, halogen replaces halogen.
4. Metathesis/Double Decomposition
- (AB + CD —> AD + CB)
- Two compounds react to form two new
compounds. Involves exchange of iron
pairs.
5. Synthesis/Combustion
- If no percentage is given, add all then divide by 3 - (presence of H2O and CO2)
Relative Atomic Mass - O2 as the reactant.
- Ratio of the AAM of an atom to one amu
- Absolute value only, no unit needed CONVERSION OF UNITS
Molar Mass
- Amount of mass of a molecular or ionic compound Mole to Mass (MULTIPLY)
in grams of 1 mole of a substance
1. Identify the chemical formula
2. Identify and compute the mass of each element
3. Add all mass then use the unit of g/mol (gram per
mol)

Carbon Dioxide = CO₂

Carbon — 12g x 1 = 12g
Oxygen — 16g x 2 = 32g

Molar Mass of CO₂ is 44 g/mol

Mass to Mole (DIVIDE) Mass to Molecules/Atoms

Molecules/Atoms to Mass
Percent Composition

Empirical and Molecular Formula