Question

How would you balance this equation? HCl + Ba → BaCl2 + H2

Answer 1

\[\text{HCl} + \text{Ba} \to \text{BaCl}_2 + \text H_2\]
Start by balancing the barium,
(oh good it is already balanced [one barium on each side of the equation] )
Now lets balance the chlorine
on the left hand side there is one chlorine, but two on the right hand side

to make it balanced, we have to twice as much chlorine contribution on the left.

\[2\text{HCl} + \text{Ba} \to \text{BaCl}_2 + \text H_2\]
Now the chlorine is balanced, [2 chlorine atoms on each side of the equation])

Check that the hydrogen is also balanced