Untitled 1

Balancing Chemical Equations

Here are the basic rules for balancing chemical equations:

1. Balance all metals in the equation

-Look to see if some “groups” of elements stay together on both sides of the equation
-Balancing these together might shorten your task

2. Balance the non-metals including the “polyatomic ions”

-Poly atomic ions are the “groups” of elements that stay together on both sides:

3. Balance the lone oxygens (if present)

4. Balance the lone hydrogens (if present)
-If you have trouble getting things to balance…try reversing steps #3 and #4

5. Recount all atoms

Here are some links that will help you better understand how to balance chemical equations:

Khan Academy Balancing Chemical Equations Tutorial