Final answer:
To balance a chemical equation, start with writing the correct formulas for reactants and products, then balance each element using coefficients to make the number of atoms equal on both sides. For example, balancing hydrogen combustion in oxygen involves adjusting coefficients to obtain the balanced equation: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.
Step-by-step explanation:
To balance a chemical equation, one must start by identifying the correct formulas of the reactants and products and writing the unbalanced or skeleton equation. Then, following a systematic process, coefficients are adjusted to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation. This process includes counting atoms, balancing one element at a time, and verifying the balance of all elements, possibly using fractional coefficients that can later be converted to whole numbers.
For instance, if we take the combustion of hydrogen in oxygen to form water, we start with the unbalanced equation: H₂ + O₂ → H₂O. To balance it, we realize that there are two atoms of hydrogen on the reactant side and only one on the product side. Thus, we place a coefficient of 2 in front of H₂O to get H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O. Now we have four atoms of hydrogen on the product side, so we place a coefficient of 2 in front of H₂. Then, we adjust the oxygen by placing a coefficient of 1 in front of O₂ because there are two atoms of oxygen as a product. The balanced equation becomes: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.
Chemical equations are balanced to comply with the law of conservation of mass, ensuring that the matter is not created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. The balanced equation is a crucial part of understanding and communicating chemical reactions effectively.