The sum of atoms before reaction = the sum of atoms after reaction
Rule 1Balancing chemical equations using the one’s and two’s technique. | Rule 2Balancing chemical equations using the two’s and three’s technique |
Rule 3Balancing chemical equations using the CHO technique | Rule 4Balancing chemical equations using the even/odd technique |
Rule 5Balancing chemical equations containing polyatomic ions |
Rule 4: Balancing chemical equations using the even/odd technique.
If you have an even number of a certain element on one side of the equation and an odd number of the same element on the other side of the equation, multiply both sides of the equation through by the coefficient of 2. This will give an even number on both sides and make the equation easier to balance.
Example:
Balance the equation
CH3OH + O2 → H2O + CO2
Solution:
Step 1: Using the CHO technique, we start with carbon, one on each side, so carbon is balanced. There are four H on the left and two on the right, so we place the coefficient of 2 in front of the H2O on the right
CH3OH + O2 → 2H2O + CO2
Step 2: When we try to balance the oxygen, we find three on the left and four on the right. We multiply both sides of the equation through by two.
2CH3OH + 2O2 → 4H2O + 2CO2
Step 3: The C and H are still balanced, and now there are six O on the left and eight on the right. Change the coefficient in front of the O2 to 3 to give eight O on the left.
2CH3OH + 3O2 → 4H2O + 2CO2
Step 4: Check that all the atoms balance and make sure that all coefficients are in the lowest-possible ratio.
Balancing Equations Even Odd #1
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