Balancing Chemical Equations

What is a balanced chemical equation? It is simply one in which the number of atoms and molecules on the left side equal those on the right side. In other words, the reactants equal the products. It is sort of like saying = 4. Simple, right?

You should remember this equation from last year…is it balanced?

There are some easy steps to follow when balancing a chemical equation: 1.You will need an unbalanced equation. Let’s use this one: SnO2 + H2 → Sn + H2O 2. Identify the elements in the equation: H, Sn and O

3.Keeping the reactants and products separate, count how many atoms of each elements you have. I like to make a simple chart. 4.Change the coefficients until you have a balanced equation.

SnO2 + 2 H2 → Sn + 2 H2O What changed in order to balance this equation? This takes some practice, and some can be more challenging.

More rules… It is important to remember that you can’t change the subscripts, move elements form one side to the other, or otherwise alter the equation. You can only change the coefficients! Also, you need to recognize polyatomic ions as they are one molecule with its own coefficient.