Balancing Chemical Equations (Chapter 8)
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Equations MUST be balanced before performing any quantitative calculations.
Rules and Suggestions for Balancing
Equations
1)
The same # and
type of atom must be present on each side of the equation.
2)
Balancing is
accomplished by adding coefficients.
NEVER change the subscripts.
3)
Coefficients must
be in the smallest whole # ratio.
4)
Balancing is done
by trial and error.
5)
Balance H’s and O’s last.
6) Balance polyatomic ions as one unit.
Rules and Suggestions from Physical Science Text
Balancing chemical equations is mostly trial-and-error procedure. The key to success at balancing equations is to think it out one step-by-step while remembering the following:
1)
Atoms are neither
lost nor gained nor do they change their identity in a chemical reaction. The
same kind and number of atoms in the reactants must appear in the products,
meaning atoms are conserved.
2)
A correct formula
of a compound can not be changed by altering or placement of subscripts.
Changing subscripts changes the identity of a compound and the meaning of the
entire equation.
3)
A coefficient in
front of a formula multiplies everything in the formula by that number.
There are also a few generalizations that can be helpful for success in balancing equations:
Try the following:
P4 + O2 à P4O10
S8 + O2 à SO2
Ca + O2 à CaO
Fe + O2 à Fe2O3
Combustion Reactions – Burning a fuel in oxygen – produces heat and light.
Example: Alkane + O2 à CO2 + H2O (products of complete combustion.)
C3H8 + O2 à CO2 + H2O
C4H10 + O2 à CO2 + H2O
Balancing
Ionic Equations
CaCrO4 + NaCl à Na2CrO4 + CaCl2
Na2SO4 + AlP à Na3P + Al2(SO4)3
Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions: Stoichiometry
(Chap 10)
Balance the following equation.
Show how mass is balanced.
P4 + Cl2 à PCl3
Mass of A à Moles of A à Moles of B à Mass of B
(1 mole = Molar Mass in g) (mole ratio) (1 mole = Molar Mass in g)
What mass of oxygen, O2, is required to completely combust 454 g of propane, C3H8? What masses of CO2 and H2O are produced?
C3H8 + 5 O2 à 3 CO2 + 4 H2O