Balancing chemical equations

• Chemical formula


  Shows the formula of a compound, with capital letters indicating elements and small numbers indicating the number of atoms of each element
• You are never allowed to change the small numbers in a chemical formula as this produces a different molecule
• Large numbers in front of a chemical formula indicate multiple molecules of that compound
• Balancing a chemical equation

  1. Count the number of atoms of each element on the left and right sides

  2. Ensure the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides

  3. Use large numbers in front of compounds to balance the equation
• Steps to balance the unbalanced equation

  1. Count the number of atoms of each element on the left and right sides

  2. Use large numbers in front of compounds to balance the number of atoms on each side
• In exams, you are usually only asked to balance one part of the equation, not the entire equation