A balanced equation is an equation which the number of atoms of each element as a reactant is equal to the number of atoms of of that element as a product. Balanced chemical equation shows the number of formula units or molecules of each substance that reacts and is produced during a chemical reaction. These equations can be very useful in determining the molar ratios in later chapters.
To balance a chemical equation follow these steps:
1. Write a word equation for the reaction. It is crucial that you write both the reactants and products for the reaction. Later in the chapter you will learn how to predict products from reactants, but for now I will give you both
2. Write the formula for all the reactants and products Switch the word name to the proper formula. For example for Sodium write Na, and for Sodium Chloride write NaCl . It is very important that you remember the seven diatomic elements. These elements are hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. These would be expressed as H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2.
3. Determine Coefficients that make the equation balance Before each formula put the number that will make the equation have the same number of each element on the products side as on the reactants side. Remember, only the coefficient can be changed, the subscripts must be left as they are.
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