Balancing Chemical Equations Just follow these steps Its

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

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

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

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

Try to balance these equations using the same method: [1] Na + Cl 2 Na. Cl [2] CH 4 + O 2 CO 2 + H 2 O [3] Li + HNO 3 Li. NO 3 + H 2 [4] Al + O 2 Al 2 O 3

How did you get on? ? Here are the answers: [1] 2 Na + Cl 2 2 Na. Cl [2] CH 4 + 2 O 2 CO 2 + 2 H 2 O [3] 2 Li + 2 HNO 3 2 Li. NO 3 + H 2 [4] 4 Al + 3 O 2 2 Al 2 O 3 HOPE YOU’VE GOT THE IDEA… REMEMBER TO CHECK THAT YOU CAN DO ELECTROLYSIS EQUATIONS TOO

Electrolysis equations ones to check [a] Cu 2+ + e- Cu [b] Cl- - e- Cl 2 [c] H+ + e - H 2 [d] Br - Br 2 + e-

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

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