Ca(OH)2 + (NH4)2SO4 → CaSO4 + NH3 + H2O Bell Ringer Balance the following chemical equation: Ca(OH)2 + (NH4)2SO4 → CaSO4 + NH3 + H2O Ca(OH)2 + (NH4)2SO4 → CaSO4 + 2NH3 + 2H2O

Algebraic Method for Balancing Chemical Equation

Algebraic method EG. C4H10 + O2 CO2 + H20 put unknown coefficients in front of each molecular species in the equation: xC4H10 + yO2 zCO2 + wH20 write down the balance conditions for each element in terms of the unknowns (x,y,z,w). Carbon balance: 4x= z Hydrogen balance condition is: 10x=2w

xC4H10 + yO2 zCO2 + wH20 oxygen balance condition gives: 2y= 2z + w We should recognize that chemical equations specify relative amounts of reactants and products. Thus, one of the coefficients is arbitrary. We may take one of the coefficients to be 1. (according to convenience) Assume x= 1, 4x= z therefore, z= 4 10x=2w therefore, w= 5 from oxygen balance condition, y= 2z + w 2y = 2 x 4 + 5 y= 13/2 Thus, the balanced equation could be written as : C4H10 + 13/2 O2 4CO2 + 5H20

Multiply through the equation by 2 on both sides (it can be treated as an algebraic equation in this way) C4H10 + 13/2 O2 4CO2 + 5H20 2C4H10 + 13 O2 8CO2 + 10H20