Question

How to balance a chemical equation?

Answer 1

Balance equations "by inspection" with these steps: Check for diatomic molecules. Balance the metals (not Hydrogen). Balance the nonmetals (not Oxygen). Balance oxygen. Balance hydrogen. The equation should now be balanced, but recount all atoms to be sure. Reduce coefficients (if needed)

Answer 2

The hydrogen (H) atoms are now balanced. Due to the coefficient 2 in front of H2O, there are a total of 4 oxygen (O) atoms on the products side. To balance the oxygen atoms on both sides, we put a coefficient of 2 in front of O2. The chemical equation is now balanced.