can someone help me with balancing equations? i don't get how to do it at all, and i need help.
2006-11-29 11:09:18 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
1st write the equation. For example, C + O2 ---> CO
1)Count how many Carbons there are on the left hand side. Theres 1. Then count how many there are on the right side, theres 1. At the moment, all of the C's are balance.
2) Count how many Oxygens there are. Since its O2, its 2 oxygens. Now count the right side. Theres only 1! The equation is unbalanced, there needs to be the same amount of letters on each side.
3) To fix this, add the number 2 in front of CO on the right side. This means that there are now 2 C's and 2 O's. Now, the amount of oxygens is balanced on both sides.
4) BUT, by adding the 2 in front of the CO there are now 2 C's on the right side. Remember, back in step 1 we counted 1 C on the left side. This means that the amount of C's is unbalanced. To fix this add a 2 in front of the C on the left side. This makes 2 C's on each side.
5) Double check, make sure there are the same # of each letter on each side.
Hope I didn't confuse you more!
2006-11-29 11:21:31 · answer #1 · answered by countrygurl587 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on each side of the yield sign write out how many of each element you have. when you notice the differences place the smallest coefficient infront of the elements that need to be balanced (there needs to be the same number of each element on each side). if you tell me an equation you're having a problem with i can help you but heres an example:
Al + O2 --> Al2O3
so on the left side there is:
1 Al
2 O
and on the right side there is:
2 Al
3 O
so to balance everything out you can make the equation
4Al + 302-->2Al2O3 so that theres 4 Al on both sides, and 6 O on each side.
2006-11-29 19:18:39 · answer #2 · answered by KEiKo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the previous write gave you good advice - remember that the co-effients apply to the entire molecule and the subscript only applies to the element it's after. This is where my students seem to get mixed up the most when they are just starting out. I usually start my students by drawing out all the individual atoms so they can visualize how many are on each side.
Instead of repeating what has already been said I will give you a couple links that I use in my science class.
2006-11-29 19:26:08 · answer #3 · answered by inauspicious 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very basic: the atoms of each element on the right side of the equation must be the same as on the left. Do you need help in writing the equation(s) for the reaction(s?)
2006-11-29 19:18:57 · answer #4 · answered by tom_terrific73 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first try to balance the most common element in the equation-the element which appears the most make sure both sides of that one are equal first then work with the more difficult ones after u get the common elements out of your way first
2006-11-29 19:46:57 · answer #5 · answered by dreamz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋