What four guidelines are useful in balancing an equation
Most everyone I know has his/her own set of guidelines to follow. Look in your notes or your text to see what your prof uses.
To balance a chemical equation, you can follow these four guidelines:
1. Identify the unbalanced parts: Determine which elements are unbalanced on both sides of the equation. Look for atoms that are present in different quantities or elements that only appear on one side.
2. Balance atoms by adjusting coefficients: Add coefficients (whole numbers) in front of the chemical formulas to balance the number of atoms on both sides. Start by balancing elements that appear in fewer compounds and work your way to more complex substances.
3. Consider symmetry: If there are identical groups of atoms on both sides of the equation, balance one group at a time to achieve symmetry. This will help ensure that the equation is properly balanced.
4. Verify the equation: After balancing, count the atoms of each element on both sides of the equation to verify that they are equal. Also, check that the charges are balanced for any charged species.
Following these guidelines will help you balance chemical equations accurately.