Balancing Equations

Chemical Reaction A chemical reaction is the process by which atoms of one or more substances are rearranged to form different substances.

Reactant(s) Reactant(s) are the starting substance(s) of a reaction Reactant(s) are on the left

Product(s) Product(s) are the substance(s) formed during the reaction Product(s) are on the right

Balanced Chemical Equation The equation that shows the number of atoms of each reactant and each product is equal on both sides of the arrow is a balanced chemical equation Example 2Fe(s) + 3Cl 2 (g)  2FeCl 3 (s) Reactants  Products

Step 1 List the atoms present for the reactants List the atoms present for the products List in this order: – metals – non-metals – hydrogen – oxygen last **Make sure both lists are in the same order! met a non hairy oxen?

Step 2 Total atoms on the reactant side Total atoms on the product side **Combine like atoms on the same side of the reaction

Step 3 Balance an element by placing a coefficient in front of the chemical formula **Select coefficients that will give the same number of atoms on each side of the equation.

Step 4 Adjust atom totals for all atoms affected by the addition of your coefficient **Other elements may have become unbalanced.

Step 5 Continue to add coefficients and make adjustments until all elements are balanced

Helpful Hints If you have an odd number of oxygen atoms, multiply the coefficient by 2 first to make it an even number. Then try to balance the equation. If you end up with an odd total of a diatomic element, try doubling all coefficients in the reaction to balance out the diatomic.

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