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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.

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15y ago
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15y ago

When 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

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15y ago

See 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.

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4mo ago

Start by balancing the atoms of elements that appear in only one reactant and one product. Typically, balance elements in compounds before balancing individual atoms by using coefficients.

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15y ago

* H2O+CO2 ---> H2CO3 Since Water is neutral we can look at methods of extracting the CO2 first.

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12y ago

Ignore hydrogens or oxygens...they can be easily balanced at the end. Balance the carbons first

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15y ago

you do it all at the same time

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Q: What element should you look at first to balance an equation?
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How do you balance agno3 nh42cro4---ag2cro4 nh4no3?

To balance the equation AgNO3 + (NH4)2CrO4 → Ag2CrO4 + NH4NO3, first count the number of atoms for each element on both sides. Then adjust the coefficients to balance the equation, making sure to keep the same number of atoms of each element on both sides. Finally, double-check to ensure that the equation is balanced: 2AgNO3 + (NH4)2CrO4 → Ag2CrO4 + 2NH4NO3.


What is the overall redox reaction of cr2o7 plus br?

The overall redox reaction of Cr2O7 + Br is not a balanced equation. To balance the equation, the half-reactions for the oxidation and reduction of each element need to be determined and balanced first.


How do you balance an E-10 combustion reaction?

To balance the combustion reaction for E-10, which contains 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, first write the chemical equation for ethanol combustion: C2H5OH + O2 -> CO2 + H2O. Then, adjust the coefficients of each compound in the equation to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.


How do you balance al fe2o3?

To balance the chemical equation for the reaction of Al and Fe2O3 to produce Al2O3 and Fe, you need to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation. First, write the unbalanced equation: Al + Fe2O3 -> Al2O3 + Fe. Then, adjust the coefficients of each compound until the number of atoms of each element balances out. Solution: 2Al + Fe2O3 -> Al2O3 + 2Fe.


How do calcium oxide and tetraphosphorous decaoxide balanced to get calcium phosphate?

To balance the equation for the reaction between calcium oxide and tetraphosphorus decoxide to form calcium phosphate, you need to first write the unbalanced equation: CaO + P4O10 -> Ca3(PO4)2 Next, balance the equation by ensuring the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation: 3CaO + P4O10 -> Ca3(PO4)2

Related questions

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?

The first step in solving a stoichiometry problem is to balance the chemical equation to ensure the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.


What is the second element In a chemical equation?

The second element in a chemical equation is typically the element to the right in the equation following the first element. The second element will combine with the first element to form a compound or molecule.


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.


What is the first step in stoichiometry?

The first step in stoichiometry is to balance the chemical equation by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is essential for accurately determining the stoichiometry of a reaction.


How do you balance agno3 nh42cro4---ag2cro4 nh4no3?

To balance the equation AgNO3 + (NH4)2CrO4 → Ag2CrO4 + NH4NO3, first count the number of atoms for each element on both sides. Then adjust the coefficients to balance the equation, making sure to keep the same number of atoms of each element on both sides. Finally, double-check to ensure that the equation is balanced: 2AgNO3 + (NH4)2CrO4 → Ag2CrO4 + 2NH4NO3.


How do you balance h3po4 and naoh?

To balance the reaction between H3PO4 and NaOH, first write out the chemical equation: H3PO4 + 3 NaOH -> Na3PO4 + 3 H2O Now, each element must have the same number of atoms on both sides of the equation for it to be balanced. Adjust the coefficients in front of each compound to achieve this balance.


What is the overall redox reaction of cr2o7 plus br?

The overall redox reaction of Cr2O7 + Br is not a balanced equation. To balance the equation, the half-reactions for the oxidation and reduction of each element need to be determined and balanced first.


How do you balance K3PO4 plus BACL2?

To balance the chemical equation K3PO4 + BaCl2, you would first write out the unbalanced equation: K3PO4 + BaCl2 → ? To balance it, you would need to ensure that the same number of atoms of each element are present on both sides of the equation. This means adjusting the coefficients in front of each compound until balanced.


When writing a chemical equation what must be written first?

The reactants should be written first in a chemical equation, followed by an arrow indicating the direction of the reaction, and then the products.


How do you balance an E-10 combustion reaction?

To balance the combustion reaction for E-10, which contains 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, first write the chemical equation for ethanol combustion: C2H5OH + O2 -> CO2 + H2O. Then, adjust the coefficients of each compound in the equation to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.