why when we balance an equation those numbers that we put in front of each element are added,are not the same?

Question

I mean,we add those numbers that we put in front of each element to balance the equation,for example the reactants,the sum of the numbers that we put to balance the equation is 5,and for the product is 4,,,why?but without multiplying it only adding those numbers...

Answer 1

Because, in a chemical reaction, the oxidation states of various atoms can change, which changes the ratios of the atoms in the products.

The point of balancing a chemical equation, just as with an algebraic equation, is to have the same numbers of individual items on both sides.

For example:

C3H8 + 5 O2 ====> 3 CO2 + 4 H2O

On both sides of the equation, there are three Carbons, eight Hydrogens, and ten Oxygens.

The same principle works for every chemical reaction.