Balancing Equations

In every balanced chemical equation, each side of the equation (reactants and products) has the same number of atoms of each element on each side.

Rules of Balancing
1. Determine the correct formula for all the reactants and products involved.
2. Write the reactants on the left, and the products on the right.
3. Count the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and products.
4. Balance elements one at a time by adding coefficients to the front of the formulas.
*when there is no coefficient, it is assumed there is an invisible 1.
5. Check each atom to be sure the equation is balanced.
6. Make sure all coefficients are the smallest whole number ratio.