212k views
5 votes
Can each polyatomic ion be treated as a unit when balancing the chemical equation

User Nick Heer
by
6.2k points

1 Answer

2 votes
yes. You can either treat the entire polyatomic ion as a unit or separate the elements in the polyatomic ion. Pay attention the parentheses and subscripts, though. Those can confuse people a lot. I personally find it easier to just treat it as a whole unit.  
User Kimmie
by
5.4k points