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Chemistry 54 Online
ramen:

Any tips or tricks for balancing complex equations for chemistry?

ramen:

I just feel like I am guessing and checking too much.

darkknight:

hmm, do you have an example of a complex equation that we can use?

ramen:

Yes I do: KO2(s) + H2O(l) -> KOH(aq) + O2(g) + H2O2(aq)

darkknight:

hold up, just refreshing my memory, so to balance the equation you want to have the same number of each type of atom on both sides, so for your equation KO2(s) + H2O(l) -> KOH(aq) + O2(g) + H2O2(aq) The easiest way to start with this is to look at the givens, so we know that Potassium is already balanced, we already have balanced K's on both sides. so if we have an integer n, where n(KO2) -> n(KOH). n has to be the same number to keep the equation balanced. Now initially we have 3O's on the left, and 6O's on the right, so if we increase the value of n to 2, K stays balanced but we have more Oxygen atoms being added to the right, so for ex if we make n = 2, then we have 5O's on the left side and 6 on the right, but we can change H2O into 2H2O to have 6 O's on both sides. So, so far we have 2(KO2) + 2(H2O) -> 2(KOH) + O2 + H2O2. Fortunately for us, Hydrogen is already balanced, lol it got balanced in the process. So to summarize, you want to start with what seems the most balanced atom, and then work your way out from their. Also you can add the states that the substances are in such as (s, l, aq...)

ramen:

Thanks for the response, I'll read through the paragraph and see if I can understand it and apply it.

darkknight:

np, i deleted the other paragraph cuz it was wrong, lmk if you want more writing next time

ramen:

...... I think this is more than enough but thanks

darkknight:

Okay, so you can just apply that method for all balancing complex equations just saying. Have a good day Ramen

ramen:

Alright thanks you too

ramen:

Darkknight, for the states, is it ok if you can clarify how I would know if it is classified as aqueous or liquid?

darkknight:

hmm, not 100 on this but pretty sure when balancing a chemical equations the state should be the same, for example if we needed to change O2 into 3(O2) then it would still be in the gaseous state, right?

ramen:

Yea but I mean like when you are given a word problem, would liquid just be plain water and aqueous be a solvent mixture?

darkknight:

hmm, google definition: "Aqueous means a substance is dissolved in water whereas liquid is a pure substance in its melted state."

ramen:

Yeah I searched it up already, but It doesn't really help tho. You helped me enough already thank you

darkknight:

"A liquid is a state of matter while an aqueous solution is a substance that is dissolved in the solvent water" - https://lavelle.chem.ucla.edu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39447

darkknight:

Does that help?

ramen:

A little bit better yes. Thank you

darkknight:

np

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