How to balance chemical equations

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here are some simple examples and steps to balance them:

Example 1: Combustion of Methane (CH₄) with Oxygen (O₂) to form Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and Water (H₂O)

Unbalanced Equation: CH4+O2→CO2+H2OCH4​+O2​→CO2​+H2​O

Steps to Balance:

1. Start with carbon (C) and balance it first. There’s 1 carbon on the left and 1 on the right. CH4+O2→CO2+H2OCH4​+O2​→CO2​+H2​O
2. Balance hydrogen (H) next. There are 4 hydrogens on the left and 2 on the right. To balance hydrogen, place a coefficient of 2 in front of H₂O. CH4+O2→CO2+2H2OCH4​+O2​→CO2​+2H2​O
3. Finally, balance oxygen (O). There are 2 oxygens from CO₂ and 2 × 1 = 2 oxygens from H₂O, totaling 4 oxygens on the right. To balance oxygen, place a coefficient of 2 in front of O₂. CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2OCH4​+2O2​→CO2​+2H2​O

Now, the equation is balanced with 1 carbon, 4 hydrogens, and 4 oxygens on both sides.

Unbalanced Equation: H2+O2→H2OH2​+O2​→H2​O

Steps to Balance:

1. Balance hydrogen (H). There are 2 hydrogens on the left and 2 on the right. H2+O2→2H2OH2​+O2​→2H2​O
2. Balance oxygen (O). There are 2 oxygens from O₂ and 2 × 1 = 2 oxygens from H₂O, totaling 2 oxygens on the right. The equation is already balanced  for oxygen.Now, the equation is balanced with 2 hydrogens and 2 oxygens on both sides.