Chapter 8 Lecture

Basic Chemistry
Fourth Edition

Chapter 8 Chemical Reactions

8.2 Balancing a Chemical Equation

Learning Goal Write a balanced

chemical equation from the
formulas of the reactants and
products for a chemical reaction.
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 Guide to Balancing a Chemical Reaction

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 Learning Check
Write a balanced chemical equation for the
combustion of methane, CH4.

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 Reactants Products
1 C atom 1 C atom Balanced
4 H atoms 2 H atoms Not balanced
2 O atoms 3 O atoms Not balanced

Reactants Products
1 C atom 1 C atom Balanced
4 H atoms 4 H atoms Balanced
4 O atoms 4 O atoms Balanced
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 Solution

Write a balanced chemical equation for the

combustion of methane, CH4.

Step 1 Write an equation using the correct

formula of the reactants and products.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Solution

Write a balanced chemical equation for the

combustion of methane, CH4.
Step 2 Count the atoms of each element in the
reactants and products.

Reactants Products
1 C atom 1 C atom Balanced
4 H atoms 2 H atoms Not balanced
2 O atoms 3 O atoms Not balanced

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 Solution

Write a balanced chemical equation for the

combustion of methane, CH4.
Step 3 Use coefficients to balance each
element.
Since H has the most atoms, we balance the H in
CH4 first by placing a 2 in front of H2O.

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 Solution

Write a balanced chemical equation for the

combustion of methane, CH4.
Step 3 Use coefficients to balance each
element. Recheck other atoms.

Reactants Products
1 C atom 1 C atom Balanced
4 H atoms 4 H atoms Balanced
2 O atoms 3 O atoms Not balanced

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Solution

Write a balanced chemical equation for the

combustion of methane, CH4.
Step 3 Use coefficients to balance each
element.
We can balance O by placing a coefficient in
front of O2.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Solution

Write a balanced chemical equation for the

combustion of methane, CH4.
Step 4 Check the final equation to make sure
it is balanced.

Reactants Products
1 C atom 1 C atom Balanced
4 H atoms 4 H atoms Balanced
4 O atoms 4 O atoms Balanced

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Solution

Write a balanced chemical equation for the

combustion of methane, CH4.
Step 4 Check the final equation to make sure
it is balanced. In a balanced reaction,
the coefficients must be the lowest
possible whole numbers.

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 Learning Check

Balance the following chemical equation:

Na3PO4(aq) + MgCl2(aq)  Mg3(PO4)2(s) + NaCl(aq)

is still unbalanced

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 TO BE CONTIONUED  !

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