BALANCING CHEMICAL EQUATIONS
Chemical Equations When a chemical reaction takes place, a chemical equation can be used to describe what happened. Reactants are on the left Products are on the right
Balancing Equations The process of equating the elements on both sides of the reaction arrow. reactant elements product elements A balanced equation has equal numbers of each element on both sides of the equation.
Things to Remember Add coefficients to elements & compounds (numbers in front) example: 2Fe Do not change subscripts! example: Fe2 Balance metals first Balance oxygen last
How to do it Begin with an equation Fe + S8 FeS
Draw a table of the elements on both sides Left side Right side Fe 1 S 8
Add coefficients one at a time to one side at a time. Fe + S8 8FeS
Update the table Element Left side Right side Fe 1 8 S
Add a coefficient to the other side 8Fe + S8 8FeS
Update the table Element Left side Right side Fe 8 S
Check the numbers, re-check your equation. It is balanced! 8Fe + S8 8FeS