Balancing Equations

Basic Rules Basic Rules: The kinds of atoms and number of atoms on each side of the equation must be equal. You can NEVER change the way the formula is written, only add coefficients. Work from left to right, left to right, left to right…

Zn+HC l  ZnC l 2 + H 2 Step 1: Count how many of the first element you have on the reactant side. 1 Zn

Zn+HC l  ZnC l 2 + H 2 Step 2:Then count how many of that SAME element you have on the product side. 1 Zn

Zn+HC l  ZnC l 2 + H 2 1H Step 3: If the two numbers are equal, go to next element. If not equal, add more of that compound to make them equal. HC l 2H1 Zn

Zn+HC l  ZnC l 2 + H 2 Step 4:Continue moving from left to right counting atoms on both sides of the equation and adding compounds when needed. HC l

Zn+HC l  ZnC l 2 + H 2 Step 5: When you reach the  go back to the beginning and recheck everything…left to right, left to right, left to right. HC l

Zn+HC l  ZnC l 2 + H 2 Step 6: When everything is equal. Put coefficients in the equation to show your final answer. HC l 2

Zn+2HC l  ZnC l 2 + H 2 Step 7: Check your equation one more time to make sure it’s correct. Left to right, left to right, left to right…