What is Chemical Equation Balancing?
Chemical equation balancing ensures that the same number of atoms of each element appears on both sides of a chemical equation.
Law of Conservation of Mass
"Matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction" - This is why we need to balance equations!
Why Balance Chemical Equations?
Conservation of Mass
Atoms are neither created nor destroyed - they just rearrange!
Stoichiometry
Calculate exact amounts of reactants and products needed.
Real Applications
Essential for lab work, industry, and understanding reactions.
4 Simple Steps to Balance Any Equation
Write the Unbalanced Equation
Start with the chemical formulas of your reactants and products. Don't worry about coefficients yet!
💡 Tip: Make sure you have the correct chemical formulas before starting!
Count Atoms on Each Side
Make a simple table to track each element. This helps you see what needs balancing.
| Element | Left Side | Right Side | Balanced? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1 | 1 | ✅ |
| Hydrogen (H) | 4 | 2 | ❌ |
| Oxygen (O) | 2 | 3 | ❌ |
💡 Tip: Focus on one element at a time to avoid confusion!
Add Coefficients to Balance
Add numbers (coefficients) in front of compounds to balance each element. Start with the most complex molecule!
First, balance hydrogen:
Then, balance oxygen:
💡 Tip: Only change the big numbers (coefficients), never the small ones (subscripts)!
Double-Check Your Work
Count atoms again to make sure everything is balanced. This is the most important step!
🎉 Perfect! Your equation is now balanced!
Pro Tips for Success
DO These Things:
- ✅ Start with the most complex molecule
- ✅ Balance metals first, then non-metals
- ✅ Save hydrogen and oxygen for last
- ✅ Double-check your final answer
AVOID These Mistakes:
- ❌ Never change chemical formulas
- ❌ Don't change subscripts (small numbers)
- ❌ Don't add new compounds
- ❌ Don't use decimal coefficients
Ready to Practice?
Test your skills with our interactive tools and become a balancing expert!
Quick Practice Examples
Easy Example
Medium Example
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