Chemistry Examples

Balance CH_4+O_2→H_2O+CO_2
Step 1
The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created nor destroyed. There are no more or less atoms at the end of a chemical reaction than there were at the beginning. To balance a chemical equation, every element must have the same number of atoms on each side of the equation.
To balance a chemical equation:
1. Every element must have the same number of atoms on each side of the equation (law of conservation of mass).
2. Balancing the equation can be done only by adjusting the coefficients.
Step 2
is a balanced element because there is the same number of atoms of in each side of the equation.
is a balanced element
Step 3
is not a balanced element. To balance , multiply from the right side by .
Step 4
is not a balanced element. To balance , multiply from the left side by .