Balancing Equations

Hydrogen + oxygen water

H2 + O2

H2O

Hydrogen and oxygen are diatomic elements. Their subscripts cannot be changed. The subscripts on water cannot be changed.

Balancing Equation
H2 + O2 H2O

Count the atoms on each side.

Reactant side: 2 atoms H and 2 atoms O Product side: 2 atoms H and 1 atom O

Balancing Equations
H2 + O2 H2O

If the subscripts cannot be altered, how can the atoms be made equal?

Adjust the number of molecules by changing the coefficients.

Balancing Equations
H2 + O2 2H2O
Reactants: 2 atoms of H and 2 atoms of O Products: 4 atoms of H and 2 atoms of O H is no longer balanced!

Balancing Equations
2H2 + O2 2H2O

Reactant side: 4 atoms of H and 2 atoms of O Product side: 4 atoms of H and 2 atoms of O Its Balanced!

Balancing Equations
N2 + H2 NH3

Count atoms.
Reactants: 2 atoms N and 2 atoms H Products: 1 atom N and 3 atoms of NH3

Balancing Equations
Nothing is balanced. Balance the nitrogen first by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of the NH3.

N2 + H2

2NH3

Balancing Equations
Hydrogen is not balanced. Place a 3 in front of H2. Reactant side: 2 atoms N, 6 atoms H Product side: 2 atoms N, 6 atoms H

N2 + 3H2

2NH3

Balancing Equations
Ca3(PO4)2 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + H3PO4

Count atoms. Reactants: Ca 3 atoms, P 2 atoms, O 8 atoms; H atoms, S 1 atom, O 4 atoms

Balancing Equations
Side note on Ca3(PO4)2
The subscript after the phosphate indicates two phosphate groups. This means two PO43- groups with two P and eight O atoms.

Balancing Equations
Ca3(PO4)2 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + H3PO4

Count atoms in the product.

Ca atoms 1, S atom 1, O atoms 4; H atoms 3, P atom 1, O atoms - 4

Balancing Equations
In this equation, the ion groups do not break up. Instead of counting individual atoms, ion groups may be counted.

Ca3(PO4)2 + H2SO4

CaSO4 + H3PO4

Balancing Equations
Ca3(PO4)2 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + H3PO4

Reactants: Ca2+ 3, PO43- - 2, H+ 2, SO42+ - 1 Products: Ca2+ - 1, SO42- - 1, H+ - 3, PO43- - 1

Balancing Equations
Balance the metal first by placing a coefficient of 3 in front of CaSO4. Products: Ca 3 atoms, SO42- - 3 groups

Ca3(PO4)2 + H2SO4

3CaSO4 + H3PO4

Balancing Equations
Three sulfate groups are needed on the reactant side so place a coefficient of 3 in front of H2SO4. 3H2SO4 gives 6 H+ and 3 SO42-. Neither phosphate nor calcium is balanced.

Ca3(PO4)2 + 3H2SO4

3CaSO4 + H3PO4

Balancing Equations
A coefficient of 2 placed in front of H3PO4 which balances both hydrogen and phosphate. Ca3(PO4)2 + 3H2SO4 3CaSO4 + 2H3PO4

Balancing Equations
This method of balancing equations is the inspection method. The method is trial and error. Practice.