1. Balancing Equations In this demo you will be balancing a chemical equation The important thing to keep in mind is The Law of Conservation of Matter Which says that matter cannot be created or destroyed. This means that you have to have the same number and type of atom on both sides of the equation

2. Let’s use a simple equation, combining Hydrogen and Oxygen to make water. O2 O2 + H2 H2  H2OH2O So we can see what is happening more easily, let’s also use models of the atoms.

3. Let’s use a simple equation, combining Hydrogen and Oxygen to make water. O 2 + H 2  H 2 O Let’s make a table now to keep track of the atoms on both sides.AtomColor # Reagent # Product OxygenRed21 HydrogenYellow22 ReagentsProduct

4. Let’s use a simple equation, combining Hydrogen and Oxygen to make water. O 2 + H 2  H 2 O AtomColor# Reagent# Product OxygenRed21 HydrogenYellow22 Notice, we have the same number of hydrogen atoms on both sides, but too many oxygen atoms on the Reagent side. ReagentsProduct

5. Let’s use a simple equation, combining Hydrogen and Oxygen to make water. O 2 + H 2  2H 2 O AtomColor# Reagent# Product OxygenRed21 HydrogenYellow22 We can only add H 2 O to the product side, so to balance the oxygen we need to add another H 2 O to the product side. ReagentsProduct

6. Let’s use a simple equation, combining Hydrogen and Oxygen to make water. O 2 + H 2  2H 2 O AtomColor# Reagent# Product OxygenRed22 HydrogenYellow24 Now we need to recount our atoms. Notice that our Oxygen are balanced, but our Hydrogen are now wrong. ReagentsProduct

7. Let’s use a simple equation, combining Hydrogen and Oxygen to make water. O 2 + 2H 2  2H 2 O AtomColor# Reagent# Product OxygenRed22 HydrogenYellow24 We can only add Oxygen and Hydrogen to the Reactant side, so we can add another Hydrogen molecule to balance them out. ReagentsProduct

8. Let’s use a simple equation, combining Hydrogen and Oxygen to make water. O 2 + 2H 2  2H 2 O AtomColor# Reagent# Product OxygenRed22 HydrogenYellow44 Now our equation is balanced and all is well with the world. ReagentsProduct

9. Copy down these equations and try them, you can find the answers on the Helps page of the site. __Mg + __ O 2  __ MgO __ C + __Cl  __ CCl 4 __ C 3 H 8 + __ O 2  __CO 2 + __ H 2 O