1. Balancing Equations

2. Review Coefficients- big number; number of each molecule
Subscript- small number; number of each element
Yield- arrow; acts like an equals sign

3. Goal
To have equal number of molecules on each side of the yield
Show the law of conservation of matter
N2 + 3H NH3
N- 2 N- 2
H- 6 (3 X 2) H- 6 (2 X 3)

4. Step 1: Identify the products and reactants
Reactants- on the left
Products- on the right
__N2 + __H __NH3
Reactants
Products

5. Step 2: Separate them at the yield
__N2 + __H __NH3
Reactants
Products

6. Step 3: Identify the number of molecules on each side
Pay attention to the subscripts
If there is no subscript there is only 1 molecule
__N2 + __H __NH3
N- 2 N- 1
H- 2 H- 3

7. Step 4: Balance the molecules with the largest subscript
Start with the molecule with the largest number
Distribute AKA multiply
what you do to one, you do to the other
__N2 + __H _2_NH3
N- 2 N- 1 X 2 = 2
H- 2 H- 3 X 2 = 6

8. Step 5: Balance the remaining molecules
__N2 + _3_H NH3
N- 2 N- 1 2
H- 2 X 3 = 6 H- 3 6

9. Step 6: Put 1 for any remaining coefficients that stay the same
Distribute AKA multiply
_1_N2 + _3_H NH3
N- 2 X 1 = 2 N- 1 2
H H- 3 6

10. Step 7: Check your work
_1_N2 + _3_H _2_NH3
N N- 1 2
H H- 3 6