Fractions in chemical equations [ENDORSED]

[Jimmy lira-1G]

I don't understand why we can't leave fractions in front of a element in a chemical equation when balancing; why is it required to get rid of fractions, is there a scientific reason for this or just simply so that the ratios of the balanced chemical equation have whole #s? \

-Jimmy Lira- 1G

[danielruiz1G]

you can't have fractions when balancing equations because it wouldn't make sense to have 3/4 of a carbon atom when you cant just split atoms in ordinary chemical equations. Hope this helps.

[204929947]

It would not make sense if you put a fraction as a coefficient
1) there can't be 4/5 of carbon, atoms can not be broken down
2) coefficients have to be whole numbers
In addition, if you were to think about it, using fractions will take up more time and the process will be longer.

[Maria Zamarripa 1L]

You must have whole numbers because you can not just have a part of an atom.

[Brynne Keyser 1B]

It is basically impossible to spilt an atom, which is what you are implying if you have a fraction in your chemical equation.

Hope this helps!

[Ani Boyadjian 1A]

There can't be a fraction of an atom and thus you have to multiply the entire reaction by the denominator of the fraction to get all of the stoichiometric coefficients to be whole numbers.