Question

What are the points to be followed while balancing a chemical equation?

Answer 1

1. Initially, the number of times an element occurs on both sides of the skeleton equation should be counted.
2. An element that occurs the least number of times on the reactant and product side must be balanced first. Then, elements occurring two times, elements occurring three times, and so on in an increasing order must be balanced.
3. When two or more elements occur the same number of times, the metallic element is balanced first in preference to non – the metallic element. If more than one metal or nonmetal is present then a metal or non-metal with a higher atomic mass (refer to periodic table to find the atomic mass) is balanced first.
4. The number of molecules of reactants and products is written as a coefficient.
5. The formula should not be changed to make the elements equal.
6. A fractional method of balancing must be employed only for a molecule of an element (O₂, H₂, O₃, P₄,…) not for a compound (H₂O, NH₃,…).