1. Balancing reaction equations
This sequence of slides includes two approaches to balancing reaction equations. Individual slides may be copied elsewhere or used as templates.
1 Using symbols and no text
2 Using text prompts to explain each step of the process
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2. 2
Mg + O2  MgO 2 
Symbols Mg + O2

3. 2
Al I2  AlI3 3 1½ 2 
Symbols Al + I2

4. Write a balanced equation
sodium hydroxide is ionic: what are the formulae of its ions?
sodium hydroxide is ionic: what are the formulae of its ions?
Na+ and OH-
sodium + water  sodium hydroxide + hydrogen
It’s balanced!
Check the equation is balanced: count the number of reactant and product elements
Add numbers in front of the ringed formula so that the total number of reactant symbols = total number of product symbols
Write the formula of each substance
as it is ringed above
Reactants: 2Na 4H 2O
Products: 2Na 4H 2O 2 Na
+ H2O 2
 NaOH 2
+ H2

5. References
First example, with symbols only: Frank Harriss of Malvern College
Second example, with text prompts: Steve Lewis