Balancing of a Chemical Equation

The subject of Chemistry is all about chemical reactions, and chemical equations are a crucial part of understanding the reactions. Hence, to understand chemistry, it is significant to understand- what chemical equations are, how to write chemical equations, what is a balanced chemical equation, the importance of balancing chemical equations, and how to balance chemical equations. 

Before learning how to balance a given chemical equation, it is better to understand what is a chemical equation, what its components are, and how to write a chemical equation. After writing a chemical equation, the next step involves balancing it using an appropriate method.

What is a chemical equation?

The symbolic representation of a chemical reaction using the symbols and formulas of the reactants and products is known as a chemical equation. On the left side of a chemical equation, reactants are written, and the products are written on the right side. Between the reactants and products, an arrow is put to show the direction of the reaction. The stoichiometric coefficients are the coefficients written with the symbols and formulas of reactants and products, which help in balancing chemical equations. 

What is a balanced chemical equation, and why is it important?

A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical equation that follows the law of conservation of mass i.e the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides. Balancing chemical equations is crucial to ensure that an equation follows the law of conservation of mass.  

Methods for balancing chemical equations

Inspection method

• Envision that the chemical reaction includes just a single molecule of a chemical. You need to begin with the most complex compound.
• Attempt to balance the atoms in the least number of compounds. You can involve fractions too.
• Toward the finish of most compounds, you need to balance atoms.
• Now, eliminate the fractions and decide the group of negligible coefficients once all molecules and charges are equivalent.

Algebraic method

• The unbalanced chemical equation is written as subatomic or molecular form equations of the reactants and products included.
• Algebraic variables are specified to everyone (reactants and products) as the stoichiometric coefficient in the unbalanced equation. 
• Now, many equations are prepared to acquire the value of every one of the algebraic variables.
• These equations can have numerous arrangements, and the minimum value must be chosen from them. 
• Finally, the values are substituted with the respective algebraic variables to write a balanced chemical equation. 

Balancing redox reactions

Balancing simple redox reactions

• Split the redox reaction into two parts- reduction-half and oxidation-half
• Now, multiply both the halves with an appropriate number to make the number of electrons equal for both reactions. 
• Finally, add the equations to cancel the electrons, and you will get a balanced equation.

Redox reaction in an acidic medium

Whenever you are asked to balance the following chemical equation in an acidic medium, follow the below steps:

• Compose the oxidation and reduction half-equations for the species, including the reduced or oxidized component.
• Balance the two equations for all components aside from oxygen and hydrogen.
• If the oxygen particles are not adjusted in one or the other equation, add water atoms to the side missing the oxygen. At the same time, add hydrogen ions (H+) if hydrogen molecules are not balanced.
• Multiply both the equations by a number with the goal that they have equivalent quantities of electrons.
• Add the two equations to get a balanced equation by eliminating the electrons. 

For balancing a redox reaction in a basic medium

Whenever you are asked to balance the following chemical equation in a basic medium, follow the below steps:

• Separate and write the chemical equation into two halves- oxidation and reduction half. 
• Except for hydrogen and oxygen, balance all the other atoms in the two equations.
• Balance oxygen atoms in the equation with less oxygen by adding water molecules. 
• The next step is to balance hydrogen by adding H+ ions.
• After this, add electrons to balance the charges. 
• Then, multiply a coefficient to one or both equations to equalize the number of electrons. 
• Now, add both equations to eliminate the electrons and use an inspection method to balance other elements. 
• To neutralize H+ ions, add OH- and combine H+ ions and OH- ions to form water molecules. 
• Finally, cancel out water molecules from both sides to get a balanced equation.

Conclusion

Chemical equations are significant to understanding and representing chemical reactions. But, it is truly helpful only when the equations are balanced. There are several methods of balancing equations. Hence, the first for balancing chemical equations is to choose a suitable method based on the type of reaction. The unbalanced may help us get a basic idea of the reactants and products of a reaction. But, it is only a balanced equation that helps understand and study a chemical reaction mechanism.