Balancing Equations
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Balancing Equations
Does anyone have any tips for balancing equations? On test 1 I struggled with time and trying to figure out the correct number for each side. Thank you
Re: Balancing Equations
For me it helps to write notes on the side of how much of each atom you have. This helps me keep track of each atom number and reduces confusion. If I am really confused and feeling lost I start from the beginning again and often I've missed a small detail. Honestly the best thing to do is just practice a bunch of problems. Hope this helps!
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Re: Balancing Equations
Tips that have helped me in the past:
1. Save the molecules that are just one element until the end as they are very easy to deal with due to the singular element making them very helpful when it comes to making sure the final count is balanced.
2. Try and balance the elements that only appear in the biggest molecule that is present and one molecule on the other side next as this will help you see if you need to scale the biggest molecule and in doing have higher numbers then you originally thought.
3. Guess and check. Pick a bigger molecule and assign it a scaler that works at the time and then work around it, I have found that by just picking value and leaving that molecule alone it is less stressful because you are keeping count of fewer things in your head. If that scaler didn't work change it to a bigger one if that's what you discovered needs to happen and start over.
4. Practice doing these types of problems a lot and find what methods work the best for you
1. Save the molecules that are just one element until the end as they are very easy to deal with due to the singular element making them very helpful when it comes to making sure the final count is balanced.
2. Try and balance the elements that only appear in the biggest molecule that is present and one molecule on the other side next as this will help you see if you need to scale the biggest molecule and in doing have higher numbers then you originally thought.
3. Guess and check. Pick a bigger molecule and assign it a scaler that works at the time and then work around it, I have found that by just picking value and leaving that molecule alone it is less stressful because you are keeping count of fewer things in your head. If that scaler didn't work change it to a bigger one if that's what you discovered needs to happen and start over.
4. Practice doing these types of problems a lot and find what methods work the best for you
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Re: Balancing Equations
Take in element by element and make sure you have the same number on both sides.
Mainly trust yourself and keep calm... That is essential.
Mainly trust yourself and keep calm... That is essential.
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Re: Balancing Equations
When balancing an equation, I first write out how many of each atom are on the side of the reactants and how many of each atom are on the side of the products. If you want to practice balancing chemical equations, this practice on Khan Academy might help you: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry/chemical-reactions-stoichiome/balancing-chemical-equations/e/balancing_chemical_equations
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