Page 225 - Chemistry eBook

Balancing Equations
Balancing an equation to get the same number of atoms on both sides of the equation
Mg + N2 Mg3N2
This equation has 1 Mg on the left side and 3 Mg on the right side. We are going to balance the equation to make both sides have an equal number of Mg.
How to balance an equation:
1. Make a chart. List the elements and number of atoms of each element from both
the right side and the left side of the equation.
2. Add coefficients to even out the number of atoms of
each element on both sides of the equation.
3. Check to make sure that there are an equal number of
atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Your answer will show the original equation with coefficients added to it.
There are many Regents questions on this topic.
Use this card together with the following card’s example.
You really need to use common sense with this type of problem.
UNIT 6: MATH IN CHEMISTRY © 224