Balancing Equations
- A symbol equation is a shorthand way of describing a chemical reaction using chemical symbols to show the number and type of each atom in the reactants and products
- A word equation is a longer way of describing a chemical reaction using only words to show the reactants and products
Balancing equations
- During chemical reactions, atoms cannot be created or destroyed
- The number of each atom on each side of the reaction must therefore be the same
- E.g. the reaction needs to be balanced
- When balancing equations remember:
- Not to change any of the formulae
- To put the numbers used to balance the equation in front of the formulae
- To balance firstly the carbon, then the hydrogen and finally the oxygen in combustion reactions of organic compounds
- When balancing equations follow the following the steps:
- Write the formulae of the reactants and products
- Count the numbers of atoms in each reactant and product
- Balance the atoms one at a time until all the atoms are balanced
- Use appropriate state symbols in the equation
- The physical state of reactants and products in a chemical reaction is specified by using state symbols
- (s) solid
- (l) liquid
- (g) gas
- (aq) aqueous
Worked example
Balance the following equation:
Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium oxide
Answer:
Step 1: Write out the symbol equation showing reactants and products
Mg + O2 → MgO
Step 2: Count the numbers of atoms in each reactant and product
| Mg | O | |
| Reactants | 1 | 2 |
| Products | 1 | 1 |
Step 3: Balance the atoms one at a time until all the atoms are balanced
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
This is now showing that 2 moles of magnesium react with 1 mole of oxygen to form 2 moles of magnesium oxide
Step 4: Use appropriate state symbols in the fully balanced equation
2Mg (s) + O2 (g) → 2MgO (s)
Worked example
1. Write a balanced symbol equation for the following equation
zinc + copper(II) sulfate → zinc sulfate + copper
Answer
Step 1: To balance the equation, write out the symbol equation showing reactants and products
Zn + CuSO4 → ZnSO4 + Cu
Step 2: Count the numbers of atoms in each reactant and product. The equation is already balanced
| Zn | Cu | S | O | |
| Reactants | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Products | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Step 3: Use appropriate state symbols in the equation
Zn (s) + CuSO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)