Balancing Chemical Equation Step by Step

Chemical Reaction

The primary job of chemical engineers and chemists is to propose various accessible processes by which the raw materials can be converted into handy products that find various practical applications in our daily life.

The process by which the reactants and reagents are converted into products and by products under specified reaction parameters is called chemical reaction.

Types of Chemical Reaction

There are many different forms of chemical reactions. Some of them are elaborated below.

Combination Reaction

The form of reaction in which two or more different materials combine to form another new substance is called combination reaction. The examples are:

A+B↔C

2H₂+O₂↔2H₂O

Decomposition Reaction

The type of chemical reaction in which a compound breaks down into smaller substances is known as decomposition reaction.

It must be noted here that decomposition reactions mostly require external heat as a source of energy and in some reaction catalysts are also employed.

A↔B+C

2H₂O→2H₂+O₂

Combustion Reaction

Combustion reactions are those types of reactions in which various compounds react with oxygen under specified parameters.

Different products are formed as a result of the combustion process. It is worth mentioning here that initially we have to supply a certain amount of heat to start the chemical reaction.

A + O₂ →  B

C + O₂  → CO₂

Replacement Reaction

The type of reactions in which a certain element in a compound replaces another element in reactants to produce new products are called replacement reactions.

Such sort of reactions are further categorized into single replacement reactions and double replacement reactions. The examples of such reactions are stated below:

A+BC→AB+C

Mg+ Cu (NO₃)₂→Mg (NO₃)₂ + Cu

Redox Reaction

oxidation-reduction reaction, also called. you can balance redox reaction with redox reaction calculator.

Chemical Equation

The symbolic representation of a chemical reaction in terms of symbols and formula is known as chemical equation.

The reactants that are taking part in the chemical reaction are mentioned on the left side of the chemical equation while the products that are formed are written on the right side of the equation.

Generally, the state of both reactants and products that either are in solid, liquid or gas and the reaction parameters are also mentioned in the chemical equation.

As previously explained, there are many forms of reactions and hence, it is very important to understand that each chemical reaction has a distinct chemical equation.

Balancing of Chemical Equation

The law of conservation of mass states that in a chemical equation, the overall mass remains the same. The further explanation of this law states that atoms (mass) can neither be destroyed nor be created during a chemical reaction.

They just change their form from reactant to products. Hence, the total number of atoms present both in the reagents and the products must be balanced. Online chemical equationbalancer helps to balance the equation.

Thus, the balancing of chemical equations is a very important process. To balance a chemical equation sometimes it is a very difficult process but below mentioned steps and rules make it relatively easy for a chemical engineer and chemist to balance a chemical equation.

Sum of atoms before the reaction = Sum of atoms after the reaction

Steps of Balancing Chemical Equation

Following are some of the very important steps that must be kept in mind when a chemical equation has to be balanced.

●       Write down a chemical equation with reactants on the left side and products on the right side.

●       It must be noted that no new elements should appear in the product side. For example, if there are A, B and C present in the reactants then only the said elements should appear in the products.

●       The net charge (electrons and protons) must be equal on both sides of the chemical equation.

●       Always try to start balancing with one element and after making sure that the said element is balanced jump to the next one.

●       Once one element is balanced, then proceed with the remaining elements in the chemical equation.

●       Finally, make sure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation have been balanced, and the law of conservation of mass has been satisfied. 

Methods of Balancing Chemical Equation

There are various methods of balancing a chemical equation. The methods with examples have been explained as under:

Multiplying by Integer Technique

Consider the following chemical equation

K+ O₂→K₂O

In this chemical equation we can see that there is one atom of K and two atoms of O in reactants and 2 atoms of K and single O atom in products. Hence, in this technique the integers will be multiplied on both sides to balance the equation. 

Step 1: Balancing of O by placing 2 with K₂O

K+ O₂→2K₂O

Step 2: Balancing of K by putting 4 with K

4K+ O₂→2K₂O

Step 3: Cross check the atom on both sides of the reaction

4K+ O₂→2K₂O

Balance Chemical Equation by using Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen (CHO) Technique

We come across many chemical equations that have oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and many other elements in reactants.

This rule states that whenever the said situation comes the top priority must be given to balancing carbon first.

Then hydrogen oxygen and lastly ramming elements must be balanced. Consider the chemical equation given below:

C₅H₁₂ + O₂ → CO₂+ H₂O

This chemical equation consists of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Hence, the following steps must be followed.

Step 1: Balance Carbon, we need to put 5 with CO₂

C₅H₁₂ + O₂ → 5CO₂+ H₂O

Step 2: Balance Hydrogen, we need to put 6 with H₂O

C₅H₁₂ + O₂ → 5CO₂+ 6H₂O

Step 3: Balance Oxygen, we need to put 8 with O₂

C₅H₁₂ + 8O₂ → 5CO₂+ 6H₂O

Step 4: Check the number of atoms of both reactants and products and make sure the equation has been balanced.

C₅H₁₂ + 8O₂ → 5CO₂+ 6H₂O