Final answer:
Balancing a chemical equation is important to obey the law of conservation of mass and ensure accuracy in determining reactants and products.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is important to balance a chemical equation to obey the law of conservation of mass. The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only rearranged. When balancing a chemical equation, the number of atoms on each side of the equation should be equal to maintain this principle.
For example, let's consider the equation: H2 + O2 -> H2O. Without balancing, we have 2 hydrogen atoms on the left side and only 1 hydrogen atom on the right side. By balancing the equation, we get: 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O, which ensures that the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms are equal on both sides.
Balancing a chemical equation is also important to accurately determine the reactants and products involved. If an equation is unbalanced, it may lead to incorrect calculations or predictions of chemical reactions.
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