Syntax Guide
| Feature & demo | Input | Equation |
|---|---|---|
| Subscripts | N = N2 | N → N2 |
| Compounds | H2 + O2 = H2O | H2 + O2 → H2O |
| Groups | Mg(OH)2 = MgO + H2O | Mg(OH)2 → MgO + H2O |
| Ions | H^+ + CO3^2- = H2O + CO2 | H+ + CO32− → H2O + CO2 |
| Electrons | Fe^3+ + e = Fe | Fe3+ + e− → Fe |
| No space | A3^-+B2^2+=A5B+e | A3− + B22+ → A5B + e− |
| More space | C 3 H 5 ( O H ) 3 + O 2 = H 2 O + C O 2 | C3H5(OH)3 + O2 → H2O + CO2 |
| Optional 1 | H1^1+ + e = H1^1- | H+ + e− → H− |
| Flexible names | Foo^5+ + Bar^3- = FooBar2 + FooBar^- | Foo5+ + Bar3− → FooBar2 + FooBar− |
How to Balance a Chemical Equation? 7 Steps with example
To balance a chemical equation with an example, follow these steps:
Write the unbalanced equation with the correct formulas for each reactant and product. Example: C2H5OH + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
Count the number of atoms of each element present in the reactants and products. Example: C2H5OH: 2C + 6H + 1O O2: 2O CO2: 1C + 2O H2O: 2H + 1O
Determine the ratio in which the elements are combined in the reaction. Example: Oxygen is combined in a 1:2 ratio in the reactants and products.
Adjust the coefficients of the formulas in the equation to make the number of atoms of each element equal in the reactants and products. Example: C2H5OH + 3O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O
Check that the equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and products again. Example: C2H5OH: 2C + 6H + 1O O2: 6O CO2: 2C + 4O H2O: 6H + 3O
If necessary, repeat steps 4 and 5 until the equation is balanced.
Double-check the equation to make sure that the law of conservation of mass is satisfied (i.e., the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation). Example: The number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation, so it is balanced.