balancing equation

If written chemical reaction has one product or reactant missing, calculations {balancing chemical equation} can find missing product or reactant. If written chemical reaction has one coefficient missing, calculations can find missing coefficient.

First, find all missing atoms, because each atom on left must also be on right.

Using found atoms, write positively charged atom symbol first and negatively charged atom symbol second.

Use naming-formula rules to find candidate molecule, using number subscripts for symbols if necessary.

Write equation using candidate molecule.

Add coefficients to reactants and products to make atom numbers equal on both sides. To find coefficients, first balance metal-atom coefficients, then balance non-metal-atom coefficients, except H and O, then balance hydrogen coefficients, and finally balance oxygen coefficients. If chemical equation is not yet balanced, double metal-atom coefficients, then balance non-metal-atom coefficients, except H and O, then balance hydrogen coefficients, and finally balance oxygen coefficients.

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Physical Sciences>Chemistry>Inorganic>Chemical Reaction>Equation

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Date Modified: 2022.0224