1. Balancing Chemical Equations
Just follow these steps…….
It’s quite easy really

2. Firstly you need an equation with the correct “formulae” in………
Firstly you need an equation with the correct “formulae” in………. You’ll probably be given this in the question
Just like this one
Mg + O2  MgO
Then all you do is list the atoms that are involved on each side of the arrow
Mg + O2  MgO Mg O

3. Mg + O2  MgO Mg + O2  MgO 2 Then start balancing:
[1] Just count up the atoms on each side
Mg + O2  MgO Mg O 1 1 2 1
[2] The numbers aren’t balanced so then add “BIG” numbers to make up for any shortages
Mg + O2  MgO Mg O 1 2 2 2 2
And adjust totals

4. WE SAY THAT THE EQUATION IS BALANCED!!
But the numbers still aren’t equal, so add another “BIG” number 2
Mg + O2  MgO Mg O 1 2 2
And adjust totals again
NOW BOTH SIDES HAVE EQUAL NUMBERS OF ATOMS
WE SAY THAT THE EQUATION IS BALANCED!!

5. Try to balance these equations using the same method:
[1] Na + Cl2  NaCl
[2] CH4 + O2  CO2 + H2O
[3] Li + HNO3  LiNO3 + H2
[4] Al + O2  Al2O3

6. How did you get on??
Here are the answers:
[1] 2 Na + Cl2  2 NaCl
[2] CH O2  CO H2O
[3] 2 Li + 2 HNO3  2 LiNO3 + H2
[4] 4 Al + 3 O2  2 Al2O3
HOPE YOU’VE GOT THE IDEA… REMEMBER TO CHECK THAT YOU CAN DO ELECTROLYSIS EQUATIONS TOO

7. Electrolysis equations ones to check
[a] Cu e-  Cu
[b] Cl e-  Cl2
[c] H e-  H2
[d] Br -  Br e-

8. The answers are….
Remember to balance the charges on each side of the arrow
[a] Cu e-  Cu
[b] 2 Cl e-  Cl2
[c] 2 H e-  H2
[d] 2 Br -  Br e-

9. Hope that makes things a bit clearer….
Just remember it’s all about balance