2007-03-21 15:15:30 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Because the law of conservation says that mass cannot be created out of nothing nor destroyed. So if the equation isn't balanced, it could be saying that atoms are disappearing or reappearing out of nowhere! Since that clearly isn't correct, the only way to make a chemical equation make physical sense is to balance it.
2007-03-21 15:23:08 · answer #1 · answered by googoo2626 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For example, O2 + H20 -> 04 + 2H20
ok so on the left they are 2 O. on the right they are 4. so add 2 in front of the 02 to get 4(cause you mutiply the subscript and the coffeient and you get 4) then H20 has 2 on the right side soo all you do is add 2 in frontt o f the H20.
so your answer would be. 202 + 2H20->04 + 2H20
2007-03-21 15:25:11 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The coefficients provide ratios for the number of moles of each of the components of the reaction.
2007-03-21 15:20:32 · answer #3 · answered by Phil 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So that we know the proper stoichiometric ratios between reactants.
Believe me, become a practicing chemist and it's quite important.
2007-03-21 15:23:41 · answer #4 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋