Balancing equations

Would some one be able to explain how you balance equations, I’ve have tried many different ways of attempting to like e.g revision books, youtube etc.. but I still do not understand

Reply 1

peeked

Balancing equations is not too difficult but I may struggle to explain it here. Anyway I’ll try my best.
In an equation the number of atoms that are on the left must also be on the right.
So for example let’s take a reaction -
H2SO4 + NaOH —> Na2SO4 + H2O

On the right hand side we have 3 hydrogen’s, 1 sulphur, 1 sodium and 5 oxygens.

On the left hand we have 2 sodium’s , 5 oxygens, 1 sulphur and 2 hydrogen’s.
So on the right hand side we have 1 more sodium so we need to try fix that and on the left we have 1 more hydrogen. So if I change the amount of molecules, not change the actual molecules just the amount we can make it so each side is equal.

H2SO4 + 2NaOH —> Na2SO4 + 2H2O
By having 2 sodium hydroxide and 2 water the equation balances and there is and equal amount of hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur and sodium on each side.

If you’re still a little stuck, search it up on YouTube or ask your chemistry teacher they would be really helpful.