Question
Why must we balance chemical equations?
Answer
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Aderyn
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
Chemical equations must be balanced to obey the law of conservation of mass which ensures the number of each type of atom is conserved in a chemical reaction. Balancing chemical equations aids in gaining proper ratios in which different reactants react, thus assisting with stoichiometric computations and predictable estimations on amounts and proportions involved in a chemical reaction. Further, this practice unveils insights to reaction mechanisms, showing how atoms or molecules recombine to yield products.
Explanation
## Step 1: Understanding the concept of a chemical equation. A chemical equation depicts the reactants (substances that interact in a reaction) and the products (substances that are produced).## Step 2:Recognizing the law of conservation of mass. According to this law, mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. ## Step 3:Appreciating that a balanced chemical equation conforms to the law of conservation of mass. In a properly balanced equation, the sum total of the atoms of every element present in the reactants will equal the sum total of the atoms of every element present in the products. ## Step 4:Realizing the importance of a balanced equation providing the correct ratios in separating elements. This is useful when determining the accumulative weights and volumes of reactants needed and how much product to expect after reaction. Thus, precise predictions on amounts and proportions operated in reactions can be made. ## Step 5:Understanding that besides respecting the principle of conservation of mass, balancing chemical equations equally helps in comprehending reaction mechanisms depicting how elements bind together to form new products via excitations and transitions.### The general formula for a balanced chemical equation is: ###
where A,B,C and D are molecules, and a,b,c,d are the respective stoichiometric coefficients.