How can I balance a chemical equation?

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Answer 1 · 2014-04-23T14:52:44

Let us begin with a very basic chemical reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen to create ammonia

The reaction is

$N_{2} + H_{2} \to N H_{3}$ $N_2 + H_2 -> NH_3$

The first step is to take an atom inventory of both sides of the equation.

Reactants
N = 2
H = 2

Products
N = 1
H = 3

To balance the unbalanced atoms of nitrogen we add a coefficient of 2 in front of the ammonia on the product side.

$N_{2} + H_{2} \to 2 N H_{3}$ $N_2 + H_2 -> 2NH_3$

This changes the atom inventory of both sides of the equation.

Reactants
N = 2
H = 2

Products
N = 2
H = 6

To complete balancing the equation we add a coefficient of 3 in front of the hydrogen on the reactant side.

$N_{2} + 3 H_{2} \to 2 N H_{3}$ $N_2 + 3H_2 -> 2NH_3$

This changes the atom inventory of both sides of the equation.

Reactants
N = 2
H = 6

Products
N = 2
H = 6

And the equation is balanced.

Please review the video below to see more examples of balancing equations.

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER