How to balance How to balance chemical equationschemical equations

Understanding how to balance the Understanding how to balance the right and left side of any equationsright and left side of any equations

Step one: write the equationStep one: write the equation

Mg + OMg + O22 = MgO = MgO

Magnesium is being combined Magnesium is being combined with oxygenwith oxygen

Step two: count the individual Step two: count the individual atoms in the equation in step oneatoms in the equation in step one

Mg + OMg + O22 = MgO = MgO

1 + 2 = 1 + 11 + 2 = 1 + 1 This contains one magnesium and two This contains one magnesium and two

oxygen atoms on the left side and the oxygen atoms on the left side and the right side of the equation contains only right side of the equation contains only one magnesium and one oxygen.one magnesium and one oxygen.

The equation is not balanced.The equation is not balanced.

Step three: use coefficients to Step three: use coefficients to balance the atomsbalance the atoms

Coefficients are numbers that go in Coefficients are numbers that go in front of the atoms and molecules to front of the atoms and molecules to either increase or decrease their either increase or decrease their numbers to balance the equations.numbers to balance the equations.

Mg + OMg + O22 = MgO = MgO

2 2 2/22 2 2/22Mg + O2Mg + O22 = 2MgO = 2MgO

Step four: go back and check your Step four: go back and check your work.work.

2Mg + O2Mg + O22 = 2MgO = 2MgO

The idea is to redo step number The idea is to redo step number two and count the number of two and count the number of atoms on either side of the atoms on either side of the equation in order to ensure your equation in order to ensure your count for each side is the same.count for each side is the same.