Balancing
equations- Key Steps!
Example
Al + O2 Al2O3
Atom |
Number of Atoms |
Al |
1 |
O |
2 |
Atom |
Number of Atoms |
Al |
2 |
O |
3 |
Oxygen is unbalanced!
Al + O2 2Al2O3
Atom |
Number of Atoms |
Al |
1 |
O |
2 |
Atom |
Number of Atoms |
Al |
4 |
O |
6 |
Now Aluminium and
Oxygen are unbalanced, but we can change the left hand side of the equation to
balance both sides.
4Al + 3O2 2Al2O3
Atom |
Number of Atoms |
Al |
4 |
O |
6 |
Atom |
Number of Atoms |
Al |
4 |
O |
6 |
Now both sides are balanced!