Define unbalanced equation.

• (a) A balanced chemical equation has the number of atoms of each element equal on both sides of the reaction.
• (b) Reactants and products have different physical forms.
• (c) The number of atoms of each element or molecule in reactants is not equal to the number of atoms of each element present in the product.
• (d) Reaction is irreversible.

An unbalanced equation is a representation of a chemical reaction where the number of atoms for each element is not the same on both sides of the equation. This means that the reactants and products do not have equal quantities of each type of atom, which violates the law of conservation of mass.

Key Characteristics of Unbalanced Equations

• Atom Discrepancy: The total number of atoms for at least one element differs between reactants and products.
• Physical Forms: Reactants and products may exist in different physical states (solid, liquid, gas), but this does not affect the balance.
• Reversibility: Unbalanced equations can represent reactions that may not be easily reversible.

Importance of Balancing

Balancing chemical equations is crucial because it ensures that the law of conservation of mass is upheld, meaning matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. An unbalanced equation can lead to incorrect interpretations of the reaction's behavior and outcomes.