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Lecture 10 - Balancing Chemical Equations

Chemical equations must be balanced so that the total number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the reaction. Stoichiometric coefficients are used to balance equations by adjusting the numbers of chemical formulas. The steps to balance equations are to first balance the element that appears in only one compound, then balance any free elements last, and balance polyatomic ions as a single unit. Examples are provided to demonstrate balancing combustion reactions and other chemical equations.

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79 views

Lecture 10 - Balancing Chemical Equations

Chemical equations must be balanced so that the total number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the reaction. Stoichiometric coefficients are used to balance equations by adjusting the numbers of chemical formulas. The steps to balance equations are to first balance the element that appears in only one compound, then balance any free elements last, and balance polyatomic ions as a single unit. Examples are provided to demonstrate balancing combustion reactions and other chemical equations.

Uploaded by

Ewart
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chemical Equations

1
Balancing Chemical Equations
• In a balanced equation, the total number of atoms of each
element present is the same on both sides of the equation.
• An equation can be balanced only by adjusting the
coefficients of formulas.
• The coefficients required to balance a chemical equation are
called stoichiometric coefficients.

𝐶 𝐻 4 +𝑂 2 →𝐶 𝑂 2+ 𝐻 2 𝑂
 
Unbalanced

𝐶 𝐻 4 +𝑂
 
2 2 →𝐶 𝑂 2+2𝐻 2 𝑂 Balanced
Stoichiometric Coefficients
2
Balancing Chemical Equations
1. If an element occurs in only one compound on
each side of the equation, try balancing this
element first.
2. When one of the reactants or products exists as
the free element, balance this element last.
3. In some reactions, certain groups of atoms (for
example, polyatomic ions) remain unchanged. In
such cases, balance these groups as a unit.
4. Check your answer by making sure that the
numbers and kinds of atoms are the same on
both sides of the equation.
3
Example 1
• 
NH3 + O2  N2 + H2O

2 NH3 + O2  N2 + H2O

2 NH3 + O2  N2 + 3 H2O

2 NH3 + O2  N2 + 3 H2O (balanced)

4 NH3 + 3 O2  2 N2 + 6 H2O (balanced)

4
Example 2: Combustion of an
Organic Molecule
• 
• C6H14O4 + O2  CO2 + H2O

• C6H14O4 + O2  6 CO2 + H2O

• C6H14O4 + O2  6 CO2 + 7H2O

• C6H14O4 + O2  6 CO2 + 7H2O


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Balance the following:
• C3H8 + O2  CO2 + H2O (combustion of
propane)

• KClO3 + C12H22O11  KCl + CO2 + H2O

• NH3 + Cl2  N2H4 + NH4Cl (synthesis of


hydrazine for rocket fuel)

• C6H12O6 C2H6O + CO2 (fermentation of


sugar to yield ethyl alcohol)
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