Balancing Equations Jan 25, 2011

Reactant side           Product side
# of atoms        =      # of atoms


Steps of Balancing equations.


1. First Balance the atoms which only occur in one molecule on each side of equation.

2. Balance whole groups whenever possible, rather than considering the atoms of group separately.

3. Be systematic do not jump all over and equation balancing a bit here and a bit there. Balance atoms and groups as you encounter them.

4. Balance atoms which occur in elemental form last. By elemental atoms we mean that the atoms are not combined with any of a DIFFERENT kind.

Example: __Mg(OH)2+ __(NH4)3PO4 →  __Mg3(PO4)2 + __NH3 + __H2O

Step1: Balance Mg.
             
                 3  Mg(OH)2+ __(NH4)3PO4 →  1 Mg3(PO4)2 + __NH3 + __H2O

Step2: Balance PO4 .
                   
               3  Mg(OH)2+ 2 (NH4)3PO4 →  1 Mg3(PO4)2 + __NH3 + __H2O             
Step4: Balance N, H and O.

                3  Mg(OH)2+ 2 (NH4)3PO4 →  1 Mg3(PO4)2 +  6 NH3 + 6 H2O