Why do chemical equations have to be balanced

If your equation is not balanced it means that there will be a different total number of atoms on one side of the equation compared to the other side. For example:. Similarly, you have 4 hydrogen atoms on the left, but only 2 on the right, you have "destroyed" two hydrogen atoms, which is also not possible. Why do chemical equations have to be balanced? Chemistry Chemical Reactions Chemical Equations. Jun 9, Explanation: In every chemical equation that has ever been performed, mass is conserved.

Simon Moore. Explanation: The law of Conservation of Mass which Lavoisier discovered in basically says that matter cannot be created nor destroyed, it can only be changed. Therefore, balancing corrects this. Equations must be balanced to accurately reflect the law of conservation of matter.

Skip to main content. Chemical Reactions. Search for:. Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: Derive chemical equations from narrative descriptions of chemical reactions. Write and balance chemical equations in molecular, total ionic, and net ionic formats. Example 1: Balancing Chemical Equations Write a balanced equation for the reaction of molecular nitrogen N 2 and oxygen O 2 to form dinitrogen pentoxide.

Element Reactants Products Balanced? Use this interactive PhET tutorial for additional practice balancing equations. Example 2: Molecular and Ionic Equations When carbon dioxide is dissolved in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, the mixture reacts to yield aqueous sodium carbonate and liquid water.

Key Concepts and Summary Chemical equations are symbolic representations of chemical and physical changes. Exercises What does it mean to say an equation is balanced? Why is it important for an equation to be balanced? Consider molecular, complete ionic, and net ionic equations.

What is the difference between these types of equations? In what circumstance would the complete and net ionic equations for a reaction be identical? Write a balanced molecular equation describing each of the following chemical reactions. Solid calcium carbonate is heated and decomposes to solid calcium oxide and carbon dioxide gas. Gaseous butane, C 4 H 10 , reacts with diatomic oxygen gas to yield gaseous carbon dioxide and water vapor. Aqueous solutions of magnesium chloride and sodium hydroxide react to produce solid magnesium hydroxide and aqueous sodium chloride.

Water vapor reacts with sodium metal to produce solid sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Write a balanced equation describing each of the following chemical reactions.

Solid potassium chlorate, KClO 3 , decomposes to form solid potassium chloride and diatomic oxygen gas. Solid aluminum metal reacts with solid diatomic iodine to form solid Al 2 I 6. When solid sodium chloride is added to aqueous sulfuric acid, hydrogen chloride gas and aqueous sodium sulfate are produced. Aqueous solutions of phosphoric acid and potassium hydroxide react to produce aqueous potassium dihydrogen phosphate and liquid water.

Colorful fireworks often involve the decomposition of barium nitrate and potassium chlorate and the reaction of the metals magnesium, aluminum, and iron with oxygen. Write the formulas of barium nitrate and potassium chlorate. The decomposition of solid potassium chlorate leads to the formation of solid potassium chloride and diatomic oxygen gas. Write an equation for the reaction. The decomposition of solid barium nitrate leads to the formation of solid barium oxide, diatomic nitrogen gas, and diatomic oxygen gas.

Write separate equations for the reactions of the solid metals magnesium, aluminum, and iron with diatomic oxygen gas to yield the corresponding metal oxides. Fill in the blank with a single chemical formula for a covalent compound that will balance the equation: Aqueous hydrogen fluoride hydrofluoric acid is used to etch glass and to analyze minerals for their silicon content. Hydrogen fluoride will also react with sand silicon dioxide. Write an equation for the reaction of solid silicon dioxide with hydrofluoric acid to yield gaseous silicon tetrafluoride and liquid water.

The mineral fluorite calcium fluoride occurs extensively in Illinois. Solid calcium fluoride can also be prepared by the reaction of aqueous solutions of calcium chloride and sodium fluoride, yielding aqueous sodium chloride as the other product. Write complete and net ionic equations for this reaction.

A novel process for obtaining magnesium from sea water involves several reactions. So now there are one carbon atom, four hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation, and the equation is balanced. Now the equation says that "One molecule of methane plus two molecules of oxygen produce one molecule of carbon dioxide and two molecules of water". When working with moles, the equation would be read as "One mole of methane plus two moles of oxygen produce one mole of carbon dioxide and two moles of water".

Here is a video which discusses the importance of balancing a chemical equation. Video from: Noel Pauller. Why do chemical equations need to be balanced? Aug 22, Related questions When balancing equations, which numbers are you allowed to change? How do I get the chemical equation of aniline to phenylisocyanide? What is a balanced equation?