What is a Chemical Equation Balancer?
A balance equation solver is a tool that provides the steps of solving chemical equations for you in seconds. Our online balancing chemical equations calculator is always here for you to make your problems regarding chemical equations easy.
Chemical equation solver makes the process easy and simple, guiding you in steps. It is understandable whether you are a beginner or an expert. The moment you leave, you will surely be satisfied by our online tool.
What is Meant by a Chemical Equation?
An equation for a chemical reaction is a symbolic representation of the reaction. To depict reactants and products, it uses chemical formulas. Reactants are those elements or substances which we enter in the reaction and products are those elements or substances which are formed as a result of the reaction. Let's determine the stoichiometry online by an example:
$$ 2H_2 + O_2 → 2H_2O $$
This example represents a chemical reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen gas which proceeds to form water. For deep analysis of hydrogen and oxygen in this reaction, you must try out the stoichiometry ratio calculator available online.
How to Balance the Chemical Equations?
Chemical equations can be balanced manually. Some steps should be followed to balance a chemical equation. They are as follows:
- First of all, count the atoms present on each side.
- Now, change the coefficients of one substance.
- Count the atoms on each side and repeat the steps until you have balanced your chemical equation.
Examples of chemical equations and balancing:
To get more familiarity with balancing equations balance the following chemical equations:
Example 1: Consider the following unbalanced chemical equation:
$$ C_5H_{12} + O_2 → CO_2 + H_2O $$
Solution:
The unbalanced chemical equation is:
$$ C_5H_{12} + O_2 → CO_2 + H_2O $$
C5H12 can also be written as,
$$ CH_3 (CH_2)_3 CH_3 + O_2 → CO_2 + H_2O $$
Adding stoichiometric coefficients (ci)on both sides,
$$ c_1 \; CH_3 (CH_2)_3 CH_3 + c_2 \; O_2 → c_3 \; CO_2 + c_4 \; H_2O $$
Now equalize the number of atoms in the reactants to the number of atoms in the products for Carbon ( C ), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O).
C: 5c1 = c3
H: 12c1 = 2c4
O: 2c2 = 2c3 + c4
Now set the value for each coefficient. For example, c1 = 1, and then solve the equation for the coefficients:
c1 = 1
c2 = 8
c3 = 5
c4 = 6
Now replace the coefficients with a chemical reaction to get a balanced chemical equation,
$$ CH_3 (CH_2)_3 CH_3 + 8O_2 → 5CO_2 + 6H_2O $$
Example 2: Balance the following chemical equation:
$$ Zn + HCl → ZnCl_2 + H_2 $$
Solution:
The unbalanced chemical equation is:
$$ Zn + HCl → ZnCl_2 + H_2 $$
Adding stoichiometric coefficients (ci) on both sides,
$$ c_1 \; Zn + c_2 \; HCl → c_3 \; ZnCl_2 + c_4 \; H_2 $$
Now balance the number of atoms in the reactants to the number of atoms in the products for Zinc ( Zn ), Hydrogen (H), and Chlorine (Cl).
Zn: c1 = c3
H: c2 = 2c3
Cl: c2 = 2c4
Now set the value of each coefficient. For example, c1 = 1 and solve the equation for coefficients of both sides:
c1 = 1
c2 = 2
c3 = 1
c4 = 1
Now replace the coefficients into the chemical reaction to get a balanced chemical equation then you will get,
$$ Zn + 2HCL → ZnCl_2 + H_2 $$
How to Put an Equation in a Balance Equation Solver?
Putting an equation in a chemical equation balancer is a straightforward process. We are going to tell you easy ways to put the equation in a chemical equation solver:
Find our Chemical Equation Solver:
First of all, open your browser. Find our balancing chemical equations solver. You can directly enter into the website by clicking on the website’s URL.
Familiarize With Interface:
Take a moment to make yourself familiar with the chemical equations and balancing tool’s interface. It must have a space to enter your equation which you will find easily.
Put Unbalanced Chemical Equation:
Now enter your unbalanced chemical equation into the input field. You will type your unbalanced equation or chemical formulas directly.
Initiate Process:
Now start solving the unbalanced equation. But before moving further make sure you review your chemical equation. Our chemical equation balancer contains a "Calculate" button. Check the equation thoroughly to know that it is perfectly balanced.
Understanding Process:
If you want to know the step-by-step process of balancing a chemical equation then you can directly click on it. Our calculator provides steps so that you will get more familiar with the steps.
Related: If you want to know the percent composition of molecules or compounds then you can use our percent comp calculator.
How Would you Know that the Equation is Unbalanced?
An unbalanced equation is directly related to a chemical equation that doesn’t have equality between the atoms on both sides (reactants and products). It happens when the coefficients are not adjusted properly which results in an unbalanced chemical equation.
To know whether an equation is balanced or unbalanced you should know about its coefficients ( the numbers in front of chemical formulas). Whether the coefficients are properly adjusted or not. If they are adjusted properly then the equation is balanced and if it is not adjusted properly then the equation is unbalanced.
Methods to Balance a Chemical Equation
Balancing a chemical equation can be difficult sometimes. A chemical equation can be balanced in a variety of ways. Some of them are as follows:
Balancing with Trial and Error Method or with Inspection:
A way to balance a chemical equation is by balancing with inspection, also known as the trial and error method. In this method you have to adjust the coefficients in front of both sides, the reactants and the products, until the total number of atoms on each side of the equation is stable or balanced. This is also known as the material balance or mass balance. Here are some steps for balancing by inspection or trial and error method:
- First of all, take a look at the number of atoms you have on each side of the equation.
- Now balance the atoms that are present in the single element of reactant and product.
- At the end, balance any oxygen or hydrogen atoms.
Balancing with Algebraic Method:
In this method, you write a different letter in front of each element or compound in the equation. Then you write algebraic expressions or rules for each of the elements that you need to balance on both sides. At last, you will apply the law of Conservation of mass on each element of both sides. We are going to give you an example to better understand it:
Example:
$$ C_2H_2 + O_2 → CO_2 + H_2O $$
To balance the equation by algebraic method, you have to each element a coefficient. Then apply the conservation of mass law and write the algebraic expressions:
- For Carbon: 2a = c
- For Hydrogen: 2a = 2d
- For oxygen: 2b = 2c + d
Balancing with Oxidation Number Method:
This method is a way to balance the oxidation reactions. The oxidation number method has some steps to follow which are as follows:
- Write the correct formula for the equation
- Now, assign each element with an oxidation number.
- Identify the oxidized or reduced atoms.
- Calculate the oxidation number whether it is increased or decreased.
- Multiply the coefficients.
- Now, add water and ions.
- Lastly, balance all the atoms.
Balancing with Half-Reaction Method:
The ion-electron method or half-reaction method is typically used to balance the redox reaction equations. Some steps are essential to follow which are as follows:
- Split your incomplete or unbalanced chemical equation into two half-reactions.
- Balance each unbalanced or half-reaction separately.
- Now, balance the number of electrons transferred in each half-reaction.
- Lastly, combine the split reactions to give a balanced equation.
Using Chemical Equation Balancer Tools:
There are always some chemical equations that we are unable to balance in either way. But you shouldn’t be worried about that. In today’s world, there are online tools that help you to balance your chemical equation. Other than that chemical equations and balancing tools can also help you to balance your chemical equations.
Why Balancing a Chemical Equation is Important?
A chemical equation has to be balanced to maintain the number of atoms of the reactants and the number of atoms of the products. An unbalanced chemical equation becomes a challenge because it doesn’t obey the law of conservation of mass which states that:
“Matter cannot be created nor destroyed in a chemical equation.”
So to follow the law, it becomes very important to balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients of the chemical equation.
Benefits of Balancing Chemical Equations Solver:
There are many benefits of using our balancing chemical equation solver. It balances equations and works as a calculator for elemental analysis as it explains each element in the molecule or compound. Below are a few benefits:
Speed:
Balancing chemical equations is time-consuming. But our chemical equation balancer is here to perform the task faster which will save you time and effort as well.
Accuracy:
Our balancing chemical equations solver eliminates the chances of human error and provides accurate balanced chemical equations. This is so important in chemistry as a minor mistake can have a big impact on our equation.
Easy to use:
Our Balance equation solver is user-friendly. It is easy to use and understandable by a beginner and an expert. Everyone can use it easily.
Convenience:
Our balancing chemical equations calculator can be used anywhere, at any time as long as our user has his device and internet which in today’s world everyone has access to. This makes it easier for students, professionals, and anyone else who has an interest in chemistry.
Improves learning:
A chemical equation balancer is an excellent learning tool that helps students understand chemical equation balancing. It also helps us to determine the molar mass online of each element in the compound. No doubt it's the best way to solve your problems related to chemical reactions and balancing.
Final Thoughts on Balancing Chemical Equations Calculator:
In conclusion, balancing chemical equations has always been important in chemistry and ensures the law of conservation of mass. Our chemical equation balancer with steps is a valuable tool for anyone dealing with chemical equations. It simplifies the process and gives you accurate results. Balancing chemical equations is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and our calculator will help you in this regard.