HOW TO BALANCE CHEMICAL EQUATIONS - WHAT IS A BALANCED EQUATION?

WHAT IS A BALANCED EQUATION? 

A chemical equation (molecular equation) called a balanced equation when the number of atoms of each element is equal on both reactants side(left side of the equation) and products side (right side of the equation).

Example

 

2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O

in the above equation 

There are 4-Hydrogen atoms on left side and 4-Hydrogen atoms on the right side. and 2-Oxygen atoms on the left side and 2-Oxygen atoms on the right side

How to balance a chemical equation?

A chemical equation can be balanced by multiplying the Chemical formula with a simple whole number (coefficients) such that the number of atoms of each element is balanced on both sides of the equation.

How to Balance Chemical Equations

Steps in Balancing a Chemical equation:

Step-1. It is easy to start with balancing metals atoms (if present) in the chemical equation.

Na₂CO₃ + HCl → NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O

to balance the 'Na' (metal) atoms multiply 'NaCl' with '2'

Na₂CO₃ + HCl → 2NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O

Step-2. Now balance the non-metal (other than H and O)

here we have C and Cl where C is balanced on both sides hence Cl has to be balanced. 

So multiply HCl with '2'

Na₂CO₃ + 2HCl → 2NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O

Step-3. Then balance H and O atoms. But in the above equation H and O are balanced on both sides hence the equation is balanced.

Na₂CO₃ + 2HCl → 2NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O

cross check if all the elements are balanced in the equation.

Example 2

HCl + PbO₂ → PbCl₂ + H₂O + Cl₂

Lead (Pb) metal atoms are balanced So balance Chlorine (Cl) atoms

4HCl + PbO₂ → PbCl₂ + H₂O + Cl₂

Now balance Hydrogen atoms

4HCl + PbO₂ → PbCl₂ + 2H₂O + Cl₂

you can see Oxygen atoms also balanced in the above equation. Now cross-check if all elements are balanced

Balancing Chemical Equations Worksheet

Here is Balancing Chemical Equations worksheet for practice

    Balance the following reactions:

1.      Mg   +    O₂ →   MgO                                       

2.      H₂    +   O₂ →   H₂O                                        

3.      H₂    +   Cl₂ →  HCl                                        

4.      PbO₂   → PbO   +O₂                                           

5.      H₂SO₄  + Ca(OH)₂ → CaCl₂  +  H₂O        

6.      H₂O₂        →       H₂O     +          O₂

7.      KClO₃       →        KCl     +          O₂

8.      K₂O         +          H₂O     →        KOH

9.      Zn      +      HCl     →        ZnCl₂   +       H₂

10.  Na     +       H₂O     →        NaOH +        H₂

11.  P              +          O₂          →        P₂O₅

12.  N₂                +          H₂          →        NH₃

13.  Fe          + O₂         →    Fe₂O₃

14.  K  +          H₂O     →        KOH   +   H₂