How to Balance Chemical Equations

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Write down your given equation.

   For this example, you will use:
   C3H8 + O2
   --> H2O + CO2 This reaction occurs when propane (C3H8) is burned in the presence of oxygen to produce water and carbon dioxide.
2. 2

   Step 2: Write down the number of atoms per each element that you have on each side of the equation.

   Look at the subscripts next to each atom to find the number of atoms in the equation.
   
   Left side: 3 carbon, 8 hydrogen and 2 oxygen.
   
   Right side: 1 carbon, 2 hydrogen and 3 oxygen. ,, This means that you will need to balance the carbon atoms first. , C3H8 + O2
   --> H2O + 3CO2 The coefficient 3 in front of carbon on the right side indicates 3 carbon atoms just as the subscript 3 on the left side indicates 3 carbon atoms.
   
   In a chemical equation, you can change coefficients, but you must never alter the subscripts. , You have 8 on the left side.
   
   So you'll need 8 on the right side.
   
   C3H8 + O2
   --> 4H2O + 3CO2 On the right side, you now added a 4 as the coefficient because the subscript showed that you already had 2 hydrogen atoms.
   
   When you multiply the coefficient 4 times by the subscript 2, you end up with
   8.
   
   The other 6 atoms of Oxygen come from 3CO2.(3x2=6 atoms of oxygen+ the other 4=10) , Because you've added coefficients to the molecules on the right side of the equation, the number of oxygen atoms has changed.
   
   You now have 4 oxygen atoms in the water molecules and 6 oxygen atoms in the carbon dioxide molecules.
   
   That makes a total of 10 oxygen atoms.
   
   Add a coefficient of 5 to the oxygen molecule on the left side of the equation.
   
   You now have 10 oxygen atoms on each side.
   
   C3H8 + 5O2
   --> 4H2O + 3CO2.
   
   The carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms are balanced.
   
   Your equation is complete.
3. 3

   Step 3: Always leave hydrogen and oxygen for last.

4. 4

   Step 4: If you have more than one element left to balance: select the element that appears in only a single molecule of reactants and in only a single molecule of products.

5. 5

   Step 5: Add a coefficient to the single carbon atom on the right of the equation to balance it with the 3 carbon atoms on the left of the equation.

6. 6

   Step 6: Balance the hydrogen atoms next.

7. 7

   Step 7: Balance the oxygen atoms.

Detailed Guide

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