Question

What's a good way to balance equations? A good method?

Answer 1

\[Ca(OH)_2+(NH4)_2SO_4\rightarrow CaSO_4+NH3+H_2O\]

Answer 2

@Jhannybean

Answer 3

@Kainui

Answer 4

@ganeshie8

Answer 5

Take your most complicated compound that appears on either side of the equation and make sure all the components in it are fully balanced on both sides of the equation. So first you'd want t analyze \(\sf (NH_4)_2SO_4\)

Answer 6

Different elements for both

Answer 7

should i write out exactly how many there are like 2 nitrogens, 8 hydrogens, 4 sulfur, 4 oxygen? will that help?

Answer 8

Yeah if you're not fast at recognizing your polyatomics that would be great practice to start with.

Answer 9

ok, then i should analyze CaSo4?

Answer 10

so CaSo4 has the same amount of sulfur and oxygen

Answer 11

as the other compound

Answer 12

Yeah, you have the same amount of sulfates on either side, no need to worry, same thing with calcium

Answer 13

So how would you get 2 nitrogens on the right side?

Answer 14

2(NH3)

Answer 15

\[\sf Ca(OH)_2 + (NH_4)_2SO_4 \longrightarrow CaSO_4 +\color{red}2NH_3 + H_2O \]

Answer 16

Alright, that makes 8 hydrogens on the right and 10 on the left

Answer 17

ow do you balance hydrogens on the right?

Answer 18

2(H20)

Answer 19

And you're done.

Answer 20

\[\sf Ca(OH)_2 + (NH_4)_2SO_4 \longrightarrow CaSO_4 +\color{red}2NH_3 + \color{red}2H_2O\]

Answer 21

\[\checkmark\]

Answer 22

lol wow. easy when you do it

Answer 23

i listed out all the elements and it was even more confusing

Answer 24

keeping inventory helps a lot.

Answer 25

what you mean?

Answer 26

Counting the number of Ca, N, H, S, O...etc on both sides of the equation.