1. Balancing Chemical Equations

2. From the word equation, write the chemical formula equation
Within chemical formula equation:
Check that ionic compounds are electrically neutral
Check that covalent compounds have the correct prefixes
Check that diatomic molecules are correctly written

3. Create a table labeled reactants on the left column and products on the right column.
List each element (or polyatomic ion) for the reactants and products
Count the number of atoms for each element (or polyatomic ion) for both the reactant side and the product side

4. Begin balancing the equation comparing the elements in the following order: non-metals, metals, polyatomic ions (as one unit), hydrogen, and oxygen.
Depending on the equation, water can be written as H2O, HOH, or H(OH)