Balancing Chemical Equations

This lesson covers:

  1. How to write and balance chemical equations

Balance the following chemical equation:


Mg + O2 ➔ 2MgO

2

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products / reactants


During a chemical reaction are mixed together to form .

reactants
products

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Balance the following chemical equation:


N2  + H2 ➔ NH3

3
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When representing oxygen in a symbol equation, should you write 'O' or 'O2'?

O

O2

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Balance the following chemical equation:


CH4  + O2 ➔ CO2 + H2O

2
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Choose the correct balanced equation for the reaction of iron and chlorine:


?Fe + ?Cl2  ➔ ?FeCl3

Fe  +  Cl3  ➔  FeCl3

2Fe + Cl2  ➔ 2FeCl3

2Fe + 3Cl2  ➔ 2FeCl3

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When balancing symbol equations, remember to use whole numbers in front of chemicals.

 

For example, '3Na' is acceptable, but '12\frac{1}{2}Na' is not.

Choose the correct balanced equation for the reaction of sodium with water:

2Na  +  H2O  ➔  NaOH  +  2H2

Na  +  H2O  ➔  2NaOH  +  H2

2Na  +  2H2O  ➔  2NaOH  +  H2

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