How to Balance a Chemical Equation Step by Step?

Chemical equations are a fairly important part of chemistry and balancing these equations is a pretty big part of that. Chemists often find it difficult but it only takes a few important steps to balance a chemical equation with the help of Equation balancer. A balanced chemical equation shows the chemical substances involved and the quantities in which these take part in the reaction. Let us take a look at what exactly we mean by balancing equations, why it's important and how we can do it step by step.

What is a balanced chemical equation?

In a chemical reaction, substances react with each other to form new substances called products. The representation of a chemical reaction is called a chemical equation. A simple chemical equation includes symbols to indicate reactants and products.

While a balanced chemical equation tells the number of atoms or molecules of product produced by the reaction of a certain number of reactants. The total number of atoms is always equal on both sides of a balanced chemical equation. Following is the example of a balanced chemical equation;

2NaCl + H2O → 2HCl + Na2O

Importance of balancing a chemical equation:

In chemistry, balancing a chemical equation is a critical step and must be done correctly before proceeding with the reaction. It ensures that the reaction is possible. We can calculate the concentration of reactants required to produce a certain amount of products. If the equation is not balanced, then the calculated amount of reactants will be incorrect, and the reaction will not proceed as expected.

Chemistry is the study of transforming one material into another so we must produce the right amount of product at a given time. If the equation is not balanced, then the reactants may not have the correct ratio of atoms to produce the desired product.

5 easy steps to balance a chemical equation:

If you are looking for a simple and easy-to-remember trick for balancing a chemical equation, then you are on the right page. Here I have a trick for you to balance a chemical equation in five easy steps;

Step 1: Write down the chemical equation of the reaction including all reactants, products, and side products.

Step 2: Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

(The ground rule for balancing a chemical equation is that we can only change coefficients which are the numbers in front of the atoms.)

Step 3: count the polyatomic ions like SO4 and NO3 as one atom/specie.

Step 4: Start with balancing the single elements like Au and Al.

Step 5: Balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the last and while doing it, remember to not disturb the coefficients that were used to balance other atoms.

Now let us balance a chemical equation of a neutralization reaction to help you better understand this concept;

H2SO4 + NaOH → Na2SO4 + H2O

Solution:

I have already written the complete equation of the reaction. The second step is to count all number of atoms on both sides and then compare them. so here we have 3 hydrogens, 1 sulfur, 5 oxygens, and 1 sodium atom on the reactant side. The product side contains 2 sodium, 1 sulfur, 5 oxygens, and 2 hydrogen atoms.

Now if we compare the number of each atom on both sides, we get that the number of Sulphur atoms is already equal on both sides. Then let’s move to sodium atoms, there is one sodium atom less on the reactant side so we put 2(coefficient) with the NaOH to balance the number of sodium atoms on both sides.

H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + H2O

Finally, let’s balance the number of hydrogen atoms on the product side by putting a 2 with the water molecule. The number of oxygen atoms is automatically balanced using an equation balancer calculator so just count the number of all atoms on both sides to be sure about it.

H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2H2O

Congratulation, you’ve done it right. Now you are ready to balance any given chemical equation without getting confused.

Conclusion:

Balancing the chemical equation is always important before carrying out a chemical reaction. If you don’t balance the equation before carrying out a reaction, then you may mess up the whole reaction. As we know incomplete knowledge is dangerous so a balanced chemical equation is a complete guide to proceed with a chemical reaction. This whole balancing procedure seems complex but it’s pretty interesting once you know the trick to solve it. The next time you have to balance a chemical equation, we hope this step-by-step guide makes it easier for you to understand and complete it.

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