1. BALANCING CHEMICAL EQUATIONS

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. How to do it
Begin with an equation
Fe + S FeS

6. Draw a table of the elements on both sides
Left side
Right side Fe 1 S 8

7. Add coefficients one at a time to one side at a time.
Fe + S FeS

8. Update the table
Element
Left side
Right side Fe 1 8 S

9. Add a coefficient to the other side
8Fe + S FeS

10. Update the table
Element
Left side
Right side Fe 8 S

11. Check the numbers, re-check your equation.
It is balanced!
8Fe + S FeS