Balancing Chemical Equations

Manual: General · Subject: Chemistry

Learn how to balance equations so atom counts match on both sides.

Keeping atoms balanced

Why balance equations?

Chemical equations must be balanced because atoms are conserved. The number of each type of atom must be the same on both sides of the equation.

Coefficients

Coefficients are numbers placed in front of formulas. They change how many molecules or formula units there are, without changing the substance itself.

A simple balancing strategy

1

Write the unbalanced equation.
2

Count atoms on each side.
3

Add coefficients to balance one element at a time.
4

Check all atom counts again.
5

Use the smallest whole-number coefficients.

What is the purpose of balancing a chemical equation?

To make the equation look longer To satisfy conservation of atoms To change the substances into new ones To remove all coefficients

What do coefficients do in an equation?

In $2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O$ , how many oxygen atoms are on the product side?

1 2 3 4

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Balancing tip

Never change subscripts to balance an equation. Change coefficients instead.

Practice mindset

Balancing becomes easier with counting and patience. Start with the most complicated substance and work carefully.

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