Balancing Equations Calculator

Here we are giving the 5 simple steps to balance any type of chemical equation. Follow these guidelines and balance your equation easily and quickly.

• Count the number of atoms on each side of the equation
• Check the coefficients of atoms and add any number n as coefficient for the required atoms to balance the equation.
• You are just allowed to place coefficient in front of the reactant or product, but not allowed to change subscripts of the elements.
• After adding the coefficients once check the number of atoms on left side are equal to number of atoms on right side.
• Change the coefficients for the required atoms to get the equation balanced.
• When you are dealing with poly atomic ions, treat every poly atomic ion as one item.
• Add coefficients to those items to get the balanced equation.
• Sometimes, count all the atoms in the chemical equation even if it has poly atomic ions and add coefficients to it to get the balanced equation.

Example

Question: Balance this equation: CaCl2 + AgNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + AgCl?

Solution:

Given unbalanced equation is

CaCl2 + AgNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + AgCl

Write down the number of atoms in each element

Left hand side has Ca=1, Cl= 2, Ag= 1, N= 1, O= 3

Right hand side has Ca= 1, Cl= 1, Ag= 1, N= 2, O= 6

Nitrogen, Chlorine and Oxygen atoms are not balanced.

Add 2 infromt of AgNO3 and AgCl.

Left hand side has Ca=1, Cl= 2, Ag= 1*2 = 2, N= 1*2 = 2, O= 3*2 = 6

Right hand side has Ca= 1, Cl= 1*2 = 2, Ag= 1*2 = 2, N= 2, O= 6

Finally, the equation is balanced.

CaCl2 +2 AgNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + 2AgCl

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1. What are the rules for balancing the chemical equation?

• Apply the Law of Conservation of Mass to get the same number of atoms on each side of the chemical equation.
• Start by balancing an element that is available in only one reactant and product.
• Once balancing of the one element is completed, proceed further until all elements are balanced in the equation.
• Balance the chemical equation by putting coefficients in front of them. You are not supposed to add subscripts, because it will change the reaction.

2. Do you add or multiply when balancing equations?

The important point to remember while balancing equation is never change its subscripts, add coefficients to them. Always multiply the coefficients of the atoms by its subscript to identify the number of elements in the reaction.

3. How to balance long chemical equation using algebraic method?

• At first, add variables a,b,c,d, so on as coefficients to all the reactants and products.
• Take a note of number of elements on the right hand side and left hand side.
• Equate any one element number of molecules on both sides.
• Substitute the random values in the equation by using trial and error method, we can find the variable values.
• Replace those variable values in place of coefficients in the actual equation to get it balanced.

4. What does meant by balancing chemical equations?

Chemical Equation is defined as the symbolic representation of chemical reaction. A balanced equation is nothing but the equation where number of atoms in each element in reactants and products are same.

5. Balance SnO2 + H2 → Sn + H2O?

Write number of atoms in each element.

Left Hand Side has Sn = 1, O = 2, H = 2

Right Hand Side has Sn = 1, H = 2, O = 1

So, Oxygen atoms are not balanced at the products side.

Add 2 infornt of H2O and 2 before H2.

SnO2 + 2H2 → Sn + 2H2O

Again, check the number of atoms in each element

Left Hand Side has Sn = 1, O = 2, H = 2x2 = 4

Right Hand Side has Sn = 1, H = 2x2 = 4, O = 1x2 = 2

The equation is balanced.