Balancing

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=BALANCING EQUATIONS! =

 To have a balanced equation, each element on both sides of the chemical equationmust have the same number of atoms.
 * Like in the example on the previous page, this equation is not balanced. **

H2 + O2 → H2O

Hydrogen has **two atoms** **on** **each side** of the equation. =__**Uh Oh! ** __=

= = Oxygen has **two atoms** on the left side and **only one** on the right side!

You simply place the number two in front of the "H2O" on the right side and this gives Oxygen two atoms. ** H2 + O2 → **2 **H2O =<span style="font-size: 190%; color: rgb(19, 216, 62); font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; text-align: center; display: block;">But Wait! =
 * <span style="color: rgb(11, 194, 213);">This is an easy fix.

=<span style="display: block; text-align: center; font-size: 130%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> = <span style="display: block; text-align: center; font-size: 130%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Now Hydrogen has **four atoms** on the right side and **only two** on the left side!

Place another number <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">two in front of the "H2" on the right side.**
 * <span style="color: rgb(11, 194, 213);">Another easy fix!

<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">**2** H2 + O2 → <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-size: 120%;">**2** H2O __**4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on each side (:**__

EXAMPLE B: Tin oxide is heated with hydrogen gas to form tin metal and water vapor.

SnO2 + H2 → Sn + H2O
 * **Write the unbalanced equation.**

Look at the equation and see which elements are not balanced. In this case, there are two oxygen atoms on the lefthand side of the equation and only one on the righthand side. Correct this by putting a coefficient of 2 in front of water:
 * **Balance the equation.**

SnO2 + H2 → Sn + 2 H2O

This puts the hydrogen atoms out of balance. Now there are two hydrogen atoms on the left and four hydrogen atoms on the right. To get four hydrogen atoms on the right, add a coefficient of 2 for the hydrogen gas. Remember, coefficients are multipliers, so if we write 2 H2O it denotes 2x2=4 hydrogen atoms and 2x1=2 oxygen atoms.

SnO2 + 2 H2 → Sn + 2 H2O

The equation is now balanced. Be sure to double-check your math! Each side of the equation has 1 atom of Sn, 2 atoms of O, and 4 atoms of H.

(Example B from [])