AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
A skeletal chemical equation has unequal numbers of atoms on both sides, while a balanced chemical equation has equal numbers of atoms of each element on both sides, satisfying the law of conservation of mass.
The examiner looks for the key distinction: skeletal = unbalanced (formulae written but atoms not equalised); balanced = atoms of each element are equal on LHS and RHS. Mentioning the law of conservation of mass adds accuracy and is rewarded.