This is a requirement the equation must satisfy to be consistent with the law of conservation of matter. The chemical equation described in section 4.1 is balanced, meaning that equal numbers of atoms for each element involved in the reaction are represented on the reactant and product sides. Regardless of the absolute numbers of molecules involved, the ratios between numbers of molecules of each species that react (the reactants) and molecules of each species that form (the products) are the same and are given by the chemical reaction equation. One mole of methane molecules and 2 moles of oxygen molecules react to yield 1 mole of carbon dioxide molecules and 2 moles of water molecules.įigure 2.One dozen methane molecules and two dozen oxygen molecules react to yield one dozen carbon dioxide molecules and two dozen water molecules.One methane molecule and two oxygen molecules react to yield one carbon dioxide molecule and two water molecules.Likewise, these coefficients may be interpreted with regard to any amount (number) unit, and so this equation may be correctly read in many ways, including:
This ratio is satisfied if the numbers of these molecules are, respectively, 1-2-1-2, or 2-4-2-4, or 3-6-3-6, and so on ( Figure 2). Methane and oxygen react to yield carbon dioxide and water in a 1:2:1:2 ratio.
Realize, however, that these coefficients represent the relative numbers of reactants and products, and, therefore, they may be correctly interpreted as ratios. It is common practice to use the smallest possible whole-number coefficients in a chemical equation, as is done in this example.
Chemical equation balancer with steps plus#
Step 1: The maximum number of atoms present on either side of the reaction is on product side for Oxygen which is 4.The following steps are used for balancing the chemical equation: