How to Balance Chemical Equations

How may sulfur atoms are on the reactant (reagent) side?

• 1

• 2

• 8

How many oxygen are on the product side?

• 2

• 1

• 8

Where is the coefficient located?

• In front of the molecule.

• After the molecule written as a subscript (bottom).

• After the molecule written as a superscript (top) with a positive or negative charge.

If there is no coefficient written, what is the assumption of how many molecules there are?

• The total number of atoms.

• One.

• Balanced numbers.

Which element is balanced already?

• O

• S

• SO

How many Oxygen and Sulfur are there now on the product side of the equation?

• Oxygen - 8

  Sulfur - 8

• Oxygen - 16

  Sulfur - 8

• Oxygen - 2

  Sulfur - 1

Write the formula in your notebook and work it out. What will the final coefficients be?

• 1, 1, 2

• 
  

  2, 2, 1

• 2, 1, 2

How many C, H, and O are on the product side?

• C=1

  O = 2

  H = 2

• C=1

  O=3

  H=2

• C=2

  O=2

  H=2

Can you change the subscripts that go with the elements in a molecule when trying to balance an equation?

• Yes.

• No.