Why must chemical equations be balanced?

• A. To allow the reaction to occur faster
• B. To make the reaction produce more products
• C. To ensure the law of conservation of mass is obeyed
• D. To increase the energy released by the reaction

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a chemical equation represents a chemical reaction, showing the reactants and products involved.
2. Recall the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
3. Recognize that balancing a chemical equation ensures the same number of each type of atom appears on both sides of the equation.
4. Balancing the equation reflects that all atoms present in the reactants are accounted for in the products, obeying the conservation of mass.
5. Note that balancing does not affect the speed of the reaction, the amount of products formed, or the energy released; it simply ensures the equation accurately represents the reaction.