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What element should you look at first to balance an equation?
Monteros1
First, make sure you got the right products because if not, it may be impossible to balance. Next, try to count multi-elemental ions such as SO4^-2 as one ion. Then, look at the unique elements that most problems do not see and only appear in one product and reactant. After you balance the "unique" elements, then double check to see if your hydrogens and oxygens are balanced as well. If the equation is simple, they should balance automatically.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoWhen balancing chemical equations, it's best to start with the compound or molecule that is the most complex. Here's an example: C2H6 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O I would start with the compound, C2H6, which is on the reactant side of the equation. I chose C2H6 (ethane) because it not only has multiple types of atoms, but it also contains a large amount of those atoms, compared to any other compound or molecule within the equation. You should leave any elements in their elemental form for last (such as O2). The Solution: Work with the C2H6 molecule has your guide. STEP 1: There are 2 carbons in C2H6, so we need to place a 2 in front of the CO2 as follows: C2H6 + O2 --> 2CO2 + H2O
STEP 2: There are 6 hydrogens in C2H6, thus we need 6 hydrogens on the products side. Place a 3 in front of the H20. There are now 6 hydrogens, as well as 3 oxygens atoms. C2H6 + O2 --> 2CO2 + 3H2O
STEP 3: We now have the most complex molecule accounted for and, we have balanced all the carbon and hydrogen molecules. However, we need to draw our attention to the oxygen atoms. We can fix this by placing 3.5 in front of the O2 (on the reactant side). C2H6 + 3.5O2 --> 2CO2 + 3H2O
STEP 4: The equation is technically balanced, however, you cannot have halves of molecules. In this case, you cannot have three and a half O2 molecules. To fix this, we can now multiply the entire equation by the 2. This doubles the number of all products and reactants, but more importantly, everything is now in whole number ratios. The final balanced chemical equation looks like this: 2C2H6 + 7O2 --> 4CO2 + 6H2O
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoSee there is no rule to look at a specific element.
For example, in the following equation:
Mg+Cl = MgCl2
==Mg+2Cl = MgCl2
Here we see both sides and then decide which element has to be numbered.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago* H2O+CO2 ---> H2CO3 Since Water is neutral we can look at methods of extracting the CO2 first.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIgnore hydrogens or oxygens...they can be easily balanced at the end. Balance the carbons first
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoyou do it all at the same time
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What is the first step in balancing equatin?
Check the total number of atoms for each element. When balanced, there will be the same number of atoms for each element on each side of the equation. If this is already the case, no balancing is required.If the number is not the same, the first balancing to be done is for the most complex molecules, the ones with the most elements and the most atoms of each element. These will ordinarily be the hardest to balance, and it is easier to change the simpler molecules, and the single elements, once these are done.
What is a website to balance chemical equations?
GO to Google.com and type in balancing chemical equations and click the 3rd one. It balances it for you. Just type in the formula. :]
How do you balance the chemical equation O2 plus H2?
First off, you decide the product (becomes easier after a while of doing chemistry). The product is H2O (water). O2+H2=>H2O, but this is not stochiometrically balanced, so you have to change the amount of H2O's on the right side of equation and then to balance the amount of hydrogens. If you add a 2 in front of both, you get O2 + 2H2 => 2H2O
How do you balanced chemical equation?
if u want to gate Ur answer than u first u have to know about molecular formula and balance it with the number of atoms of the elements
What is the balance chemical equation for the first law of thermodynamics?
dU=q-w where dU is the differential change in internal energy q is the differential quantity of heat added to a system w is the differential quantity of work done by a system on its surroundings
When balancing an equation with carbon dioxide and water what is the first element used to balance this equation?
Whatever you want. You can start with whichever element that isn't balanced
What is the first step in solving a problem in stoichiometry?
Balance the number of atoms for each element on both sides of a chemical equation
Who was the first iatrochemist to balance a chemical equation?
Jean Beguin was the first iatrochemist to balance a chemical equation.
The first step in undertaking any chemical calculation is to?
balance the equation. calculate moles of product.
When first learning to balance equations you learned that the number of atoms of each element in the products and reactants must be equivalent What are some additional factors that must be taken into?
* You cannot take atoms away, but you can add atoms to the equation. * Leave the single element molecules until last * First balance any elements other than oxygen or hydrogen
When writing a chemical equation what must be written first?
First write down what you know. Reactants go on the left, followed by an arrow, with products on the right. Balance the equation.
When due for rotation and balance and alignment which should you do first?
Rotate and balance, then alignment.
How do you balance the equation BaCl2 plus H2SO4 to BaSO4 plus HCl?
To balance any chemical equation, first ensure that you have the correct formulae for all the reactants and products:BaCl2 + H2SO4 ------> BaSO4 + HClThen work methodically through the equation, making sure that there are the same numbers of each element present on either side of the equation.In this case, we need an extra chlorine on the right hand side, and an extra hydrogen on the RHS, so the result?BaCl2 + H2SO4 -------> BaSO4 + 2HCl
What is the first step in balancing equations?
Check the total number of atoms for each element. When balanced, there will be the same number of atoms for each element on each side of the equation. If this is already the case, no balancing is required.If the number is not the same, the first balancing to be done is for the most complex molecules, the ones with the most elements and the most atoms of each element. These will ordinarily be the hardest to balance, and it is easier to change the simpler molecules, and the single elements, once these are done.
What is the first step in balancing equatin?
Check the total number of atoms for each element. When balanced, there will be the same number of atoms for each element on each side of the equation. If this is already the case, no balancing is required.If the number is not the same, the first balancing to be done is for the most complex molecules, the ones with the most elements and the most atoms of each element. These will ordinarily be the hardest to balance, and it is easier to change the simpler molecules, and the single elements, once these are done.
What should you look at first when balancing an equation?
Balance complicated molecules with lots of different atoms first. Putting numbers in front of these may mess up other molecules, so use the simpler molecules to adjust these major changes.
What is the balance equation for NaCl plus BaCl2?
This equation does not balance because 2 chlorine salts do not react with eachother. However, they are both highly soluable in water. By adding H2O, this equation can be balanced.
