How to Balance a Chemical Equation

H 2 SO 4 + Fe Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + H 2 This equation needs to be balanced!! Follow these steps for a perfectly balanced equation......

H 2 SO 4 + Fe Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + H 2 Step 1: Write down the number of atoms on each side. Left side Right side S = 1S = 3 Fe = 1Fe = 2 O = 40 = 12 H = 2H = 2 Balancing a chemical equation Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5Step 6 Step 1

3H 2 SO 4 + Fe Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + H 2 Step 2: Choose one atom to balance. We’ll start with sulfur (S). Left side Right side S = 13S = 3 Fe = 1Fe = 2 O = 4120 = 12 H = 26H = 2 Balancing a chemical equation Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5Step 6 Step 1

3H 2 SO 4 + 2Fe Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + H 2 Step 3: Choose another atom to balance. Since we want to save O and H for last, let’s balance iron (Fe). Left side Right side S = 3S = 3 Fe = 1 2Fe = 2 O = 120 = 12 H = 6H = 2 Balancing a chemical equation Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5Step 6 Step 1

3H 2 SO 4 + 2Fe Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + H 2 Step 4: The next atom to balance is oxygen (O). O is already balanced, so we’ll move on to hydrogen (H). Left side Right side S = 3S = 3 Fe = 2 Fe = 2 O = 120 = 12 H = 6H = 2 Balancing a chemical equation Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5Step 6 Step 1

3H 2 SO 4 + 2Fe Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + 3H 2 Step 5: The next (and last!) atom to balance is hydrogen (H). Left side Right side S = 3S = 3 Fe = 2 Fe = 2 O = 120 = 12 H = 6H = 2 6 Balancing a chemical equation Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5Step 6 Step 1

3H 2 SO 4 + 2Fe Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + 3H 2 Step 6: The final step is to double- check the numbers. If they balance, you’re done! Left side Right side S = 3S = 3 Fe = 2 Fe = 2 O = 120 = 12 H = 6H = 6 Balancing a chemical equation Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5Step 6 Step 1

Congratulations!! You’re a chemical equation balancing expert.