Penguin
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Balancing Chemical Equations
I need help balancing chemical equations. I am not good at chemistry, and I am having trouble with my chemistry work at school. Can someone please
explain how to balance the following equations in steps, and tell me how and why you did each step?
Mg + N2 ---> Mg3N2
P4 + O2 ---> P4O10
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cyclonite4
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3Mg + N2 ---> Mg3N2
P4 + 5O2 ---> P4O10
It's just simple math i guess, not much to explain, you'll get the hang eventually.
BTW, we aren't here to do your homework for you.
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neutrino
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It seems that you are, though.
If all else fails, start by balancing the reaction for one atom. Next, move onto a different atom. In the end, everything should balance...hopefully.
As cyclonite said, though you eventually get the hang of it.
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tom haggen
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Is it just me or is gen chem much easier than math and physics?
Cause related rates problems are dirty little whores.
N/A
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cyclonite4
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Chem, IMO, is the easiest science/math subject, the hardest being calculus. Chemistry has been my best topic since I was 12/13.
When I first started chem, and we were balancing equations, the hardest one i ever hit was nitric acid oxidising copper metal, but now.... it's
easy as.
It'll all make sense eventually Penguin. Good luck 
\"It is dangerous to be right, when your government is wrong.\" - Voltaire
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Penguin
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ya, I'm starting to understand it now. And by the way, I didn't post this topic to have someone do my homework for me. I posted this topic
so someone can explain how to balance chemical formulas so I can do my homework.
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The_Davster
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Well here is a tip I was taught long ago... Start with the chemical compound that has the greatest number of elements in it, from there try to balance
the equation by adding coeffecients to the compunds on the other side in an attempt to balance it. If not possible put a coeffecient of 2 infront of
the chemical compound that has the greatest number of elements in it and start again, if that does not work try with a coefecient of three and so on.
This is just a general rule, there are, of course, exceptions, but it is a good rule for beginners. Once you get the hang of it it seems quite
simple, and, like riding a bike, you will never forget.
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sparkgap
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Well, cyclonite4, neutrino, and rogue chemist prety have much of the bases covered, so I'll just add a little tip: Balance the oxygens and
hydrogens last if there are many elements present. It usually happens that in balancing the other elements, by the time you look at oxygen and/or
hydrogen, they are balanced as well. Again, there will be exceptions.
Why would related rates problems be a bitch to you, tom?
sparky (^_^)
"What's UTFSE? I keep hearing about it, but I can't be arsed to search for the answer..."
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cyclonite4
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i as actually gonna add a tip, which sparkgap seems to have covered...
when dealing with compunds with lots of oxygen (nitrates, sulfates, borates, etc.) leave the oxygen last and stick to the nitrogen in nitrate, sulfur
in sulfate, boron in borate, etc.
\"It is dangerous to be right, when your government is wrong.\" - Voltaire
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