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Balancing Chemical Equations Handout

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of each element is the same on both reactant and product sides. The process involves adjusting coefficients to achieve balance, as demonstrated in the example of ammonia formation. For further assistance, students can visit the Student Success Center or access online resources.

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14 views2 pages

Balancing Chemical Equations Handout

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of each element is the same on both reactant and product sides. The process involves adjusting coefficients to achieve balance, as demonstrated in the example of ammonia formation. For further assistance, students can visit the Student Success Center or access online resources.

Uploaded by

saivishwas59809
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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BALANCING CHEMICAL EQUATIONS

The purpose of balancing chemical equations is to make sure the same number of each
element exist as reactants and products. Think of it as people entering and leaving a dance. The
same number of people should enter the party as leave the party, but over the course of the
party, they might change partners.

Parts of a Chemical Equation:


 N2 +3 H2 → 2 NH3
o The blue, bolded numbers that are the same size as the letters are coefficients.
These tell you how many of that group there is. If there is no number it is assumed
to be the number one.
o The combination of the letters and the subscript numbers are the chemical
formulas. It shows how the elements are arranged. These elements are bonded
together.

Suggestions for Balancing Chemical Equations:

 List the number of each element on the reactant side and on the product side
 Change the coefficients (the numbers in front of the chemical formula)

Example:

 For the formation of ammonia, the chemical equation is N2 +H2 → NH3


 This equation shows two nitrogens entering the party together and two
hydrogens entering the party together
o But only one nitrogen leaves the party and it leaves with three hydrogens! These
numbers don't make sense.
Reactants Products
Nitrogen 2 1
Hydrogen 2 3
o A good method is to focus on the easiest element to “fix” and then go from
there. We see that there are 2 nitrogens in the reactants and only one in the
products. This can be fixed by multiplying the product contacting nitrogen by 2.
o The new chemical equation is N2 +H2 →2 NH3
Reactants Products
Nitrogen 2 2
Hydrogen 2 6
Since NH3 is multiplied by a coefficient of 2 there are now 2 nitrogens and 6
hydrogens. The 6 hydrogens come from the 2 multiplied by the subscript of 3.
o Here we see that the nitrogens are now equal but there are two hydrogens on
the reactants and 6 as products. This can be fixed by multiplying the N2 in the
reactants by a coefficient of 3.
Reactants Products
Nitrogen 2 2
Hydrogen 6 6

o The balanced form of this equation is N2 +3 H2 → 2 NH3


 Here we see a total of 2 nitrogens (1 grouping of 2) and 6 hydrogens (3
groupings of 2) entering and the same number leaving (2 of a group
containing 1 nitrogen and 3 hydrogen)

For more information, visit a tutor. All appointments are available in-person at the Student Success Center,
located in the Library, or online. https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/balancing-chemical-
equations/latest/balancing-chemical-equations_en.html

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