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You add whole-number coefficients as needed until the number of each type of atom is the same on either side of the arrow.

Example: given this unbalanced equation: C3H8 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O, you must add some coefficients in front of those substances to make it balance. The solution is: C3H8 + 5O2 --> 3CO2 + 4H2O. Now you can see there's the same number of carbons, hydrogens, and oxygens on each side. Note - the absence of a coefficient means it's understood to be "1".

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10y ago
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16y ago

A chemical equation must be balanced or else it is against the lawas of physics and that isn't possible.

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13y ago

Then you have to balance it. If it does not balance it cannot exist. Equations in chemistry have to balance.

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9y ago

When you can't balance a chemical equation it could be because you are using the wrong elements. Both sides have to equal to have the right composition.

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13y ago

all atoms must be counted

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Q: How do you solve an unbalanced chemical equation?
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Related questions

When is it said to be a unbalanced equation?

the equation is unbalanced becoz the mass is not the same on both sides of equation such a chemical equation is a skeletal chemical equation for a reaction


An unbalanced chemical equation?

An unbalanced equation that uses names of the substances instead of chemical formulas is called a word equation. As a rule, metallic elements are named first and non-metallic next. The suffix of the latter is changed into "ide".


What is meant by skeletal chemical equation?

An unbalanced equation having diffrent mass on both side of equation is called skeletol equation.


The Law of Conservation of Mass states that the equation for a chemical reaction will always be unbalanced?

False


What makes a chemical equation unbalanced?

If the number of any certain element in the reactants does not equal exactly the number of that same element in the products, the reaction is unbalanced.


Why cant an unbalanced chemical equation fully describe a reaction?

The amounts of reactants and products are not mentioned.


What is the unbalanced chemical equation for the reaction of calcium metal with water?

Ca + H2O -> H2 + CaOH


Chemical reaction of caco3 and No2?

Unbalanced equation is: NO2 + CaCo3 = Ca(NO3)2 + CO2


What happens when pressures are unbalanced?

if you mean in a chemical equation, then if the pressures are unbalanced, the reaction will shift to whatever side has less pressure, to make more pressure so its balanced out again.


What is used to solve a problem?

Trial and Error in science, or else you can use a (chemical) equation to solve and check.


What is potassium chlorate that decomposes into potassium chloride and oxygen?

Unbalanced Equation: KClO3 ===> KCl + O2 Balanced Equation: 2KClO3 ===> 2KCl + 3O2


What do you mean by balanced chemical equation?

A balanced chemical equation is one where the number of the same atoms on both sides are equal. A balanced chemial equation is important because during a chemical reaction, there is rearrangement of atoms only and no new atoms are added. To understand the concept of a balanced chemical equation, first consider an unbalanced chemical equation between magnesium and oxygen to form magnesium oxide. Unbalanced chemical equation: Mg(s) + O2(g) --> MgO(s) Initially, this equation is unbalanced because if we count the number of the oxygen atoms on both sides, the number are unequal. There are two oxygen atoms on the left side but only one on the right side. A balanced chemical equation is one where the number of all of the same atoms on both side are equal. We can balance chemical equations by adding numbers to the coefficient of the chemicals that are involved in the reaction. Balanced chemical equation: 2Mg(s) + O2(g) --> 2MgO(s) This equation is now balanced because if we count the number of the same atoms on both side, they are equal. There are two magnesium atoms and two oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation.