| Balancing Equations |
| Below are some steps to use when first learning to balance equations. Here is an example equation: H2 + O2 --> H20 |
| Step 1: List the atoms on the reactant and the product side. |
| Reactant Side= H2 + O2
Reactant Atoms: H O Product Side= H2O Product Atoms: H O |
| Step 2: List the number of each atoms you have on each side. |
| Reactant Side: H= 2 O=2
Product Side: H=2 O=1 |
| Step 3: Figure out which atoms are not balanced. |
| Reactant Side: H= 2 O=2
Product Side: H=2 O=1 The Oxygens are not balanced. |
| Step 4: Balance the equation. |
| Looking above we see that the oxygen atoms are not balanced. We have
two oxygen atoms on the reactant side and one on the product side. In order
to get them equal, or balanced, we can multiply by 2. In doing so, we get
the following:
H2 + O2--> 2H2O
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| Now the oxygens are balanced, but the hydrogens are not. In order to
get the hydrogens balanced, we can multiply by 2. We get:
2H2 + O2 --> 2H2O
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| We now have a balanced equation. |
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