Chapter 1
Chemical Reactions & Equations
Law of Conservation of Mass in Balancing Equations
Total mass of reactants = Total mass of products (Number of atoms of each element on LHS = RHS)
Chemical equations must be balanced by adjusting whole number coefficients, never modifying subscripts.
Variables: Stoichiometric coefficients a, b, c, d in aA + bB -> cC + dD
Exam Tip: Balance metals first, then non-metals, followed by hydrogen and oxygen.