Balancing Equations
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Chemical reactions are balanced with coefficients until the numbers of each atom are equal on the left and the right.
The Law of Conservation of Mass
The Law of Conservation of Mass states that the mass of the reactants equal the mass of the products. Atoms cannot be created nor destroyed in a chemical change—therefore, the number of each type of atom on each side of the reaction must be equal. Coefficients are used to balance chemical reactions.
Choosing which atom to start with
Start with elements that appear only one time on each side and elements that are in the most complex compounds. End with elements that appear more than once on a side or elements that appear uncombined on one side or the other.
Inspection method of balancing
The Inspection Method is used to balance the simplest reactions. It includes:
- Make a list of the elements in the reaction
- Count the number of each type of atom on each side of the reaction
- Add coefficients to balance the number of atoms
- Determine the total charge of each side of the reaction and use coefficients to balance charge.
- When all elements and charge are balanced, place a “1” in any empty coefficient location to indicate that you’re done.
Oxidation number method of balancing
The oxidation number method is used for balancing simple redox reactions that cannot be easily balanced by the inspection method. It includes:
- Determine the oxidation numbers of each atom.
- Determine the net change in charge. Use the net change to determine the ratio of atoms that would cancel out the net charge change.
- Use the ratio as coefficients in the simplest compounds containing those elements.
- Finish balancing by the inspection method.
Half-reaction method of balancing
The half-reaction method is for the most difficult redox reactions:
- Use oxidation numbers to determine what’s oxidized and what’s reduced.
- Write two half-reactions, one for reduction and one for oxidation
- Balance all elements except H and O using inspection method.
- For an acid redox reaction: Balance the O’s by adding H2O to the side needing more O. For a base redox reaction: Balance O by adding twice as many OH- to the side needing more O.
- For a acid redox reaction: Balance the H’s by adding H+ to the side needing more H’s. For a base redox reaction: Balance H’s by adding H2O to the side needing more H’s.
- Determine the charge of each side of each reaction. Balance the charges by adding electrons to the side with the more positive charge for each reaction.
- Multiply the half-reactions by factors that will allow the electrons to cancel out.
- Add the two half-reactions back together.
- Cross out anything that appears the same on both sides.
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| "Title" Tutorial Summary : |
The Law of Conservation of Matter says that matter cannot be created nor destroyed. That means that the atoms that are on the reactant side also must appear on the products side. Therefore, reactions need to be balanced. This tutorial shows methods that can be used to balance simple reactions as well as more complicated redox reactions.
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| Tutorial Features: |
Specific Tutorial Features:
- Instructions on how to choose the atom to begin with is given
- Multiple methods of balancing equations are worked out in animation.
Series Features:
- Concept map showing inter-connections of new concepts in this tutorial and those previously introduced.
- Definition slides introduce terms as they are needed.
- Visual representation of concepts
- Animated examples—worked out step by step
- A concise summary is given at the conclusion of the tutorial.
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| "Title" Topic List: |
- Using The Law of Conservation of Mass to balance the equations
- Choosing which atom to begin balancing with
- Inspection method of balancing
- Oxidation number method of balancing
- Half-reaction method of balancing
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