Which of the following is true about a balanced equation?

• A. It has the same number of atoms of each element on both sides.
• B. It shows only products.
• C. It never uses coefficients.
• D. It always uses solid products.

Answer: (A)

In a balanced chemical equation, the numbers of atoms of every element are the same on both sides of the equation. This reflects the conservation of mass—matter isn’t created or destroyed in a reaction, so the total count of each element must match. Coefficients are used to scale the amounts of reactants and products, ensuring those atom counts balance. Balanced equations can include both reactants and products, and the phases of products aren’t restricted to solids; they can be solids, liquids, gases, or aqueous solutions.