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Balancing Chemical Equations Guide

This document provides an introduction to balancing chemical equations. It defines what a chemical equation is and explains the different types of equations, including word equations and symbol equations. It outlines the rules for balancing equations, such as that matter cannot be created or destroyed and that only coefficients can be changed. An example of an unbalanced equation for methane and oxygen reacting to form carbon dioxide and water is shown. Then a balanced version of this equation is displayed. Finally, the document instructs students to balance the equation for potassium chlorate decomposing to form potassium chloride and oxygen.

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Sergio Casado Payá Year 10
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209 views11 pages

Balancing Chemical Equations Guide

This document provides an introduction to balancing chemical equations. It defines what a chemical equation is and explains the different types of equations, including word equations and symbol equations. It outlines the rules for balancing equations, such as that matter cannot be created or destroyed and that only coefficients can be changed. An example of an unbalanced equation for methane and oxygen reacting to form carbon dioxide and water is shown. Then a balanced version of this equation is displayed. Finally, the document instructs students to balance the equation for potassium chlorate decomposing to form potassium chloride and oxygen.

Uploaded by

Sergio Casado Payá Year 10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Introduction to chemistry Y10

Title: Balancing equations


WALT: write word equations and balanced
chemical equations
What is a chemical equation?

Chemical equations represent what happens during chemical reactions

Reactants Products
2 Ag + H2S → Ag2S + H2

Subscript
Coefficient Shows how many atoms of an
Show how many species are
element are in a compound.
of a particular chemical.
Types of equations
Word equation

Sodium + chlorine → sodium chloride

Symbol equation (chemical equation) All chemical equations


must be balanced
2Na (s) + Cl2 (g) → 2NaCl (s)

Na (s) + ½ Cl2 (g) → NaCl (s)

State symbol
Balancing equations
Rules of the game
1. Matter cannot be created or destroyed.
2. Subscripts cannot be added, removed, or changed.
3. You can only change coefficients.
4. Coefficients can only go in front of chem. formulas...NEVER in the
middle of a formula.
A few extra tips:
Try balancing big formulas first; save free elements for last.
If the same polyatomic ion appears on both sides of the equation, it’s usually
okay to treat it as one unit.
There is no one particular way to balance equations. Some equations are
harder to balance than others and might require some creativity to solve.
Must learn
Don’t forget that some of the
elements are formed by two
atoms of the same element,
which are joined together in a
molecule.
An unbalanced equation
⚫ CH4 + O2 🡪 CO2 + H2O

Reactant Side Product Side

1 carbon atom
2 hydrogen atoms
3 oxygen atoms
1 carbon atom
4 hydrogen atoms
2 oxygen atoms
A balanced equation
● CH4 + 2O2 🡪 CO2 + 2H2O

Reactant Side Product Side

1 carbon atom
4 hydrogen atoms 1 carbon atom
4 oxygen atoms 4 hydrogen atoms
4 oxygen atoms
Balancing equations
⚫Balance the following equation by adjusting coefficients.

2 KClO3 🡪 2KCl + 3
2O2
reactants products

K 1
2 12
Cl 21 21
O 63 6
2
4 6
Let’s practice
1. Balancing equations

Start with activity 3.

2. Quizizz: naming and balancing


Balancing equations

Online resources: Extra activities:


[Link] [Link]
uations/latest/balancing-chemical-equations_en.html PD3yQATc1CKb1/view?usp=sharing

[Link]
hemistry_interactive/balancing_chemical_equation_1.htm

[Link]
om/chemistry_interactive/balancing_chemical_equation_2.
htm

[Link]
om/chemistry_interactive/balancing_chemical_equation_3.
htm

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