answersLogoWhite

0

You add whole number coefficients before each substance in the equation as needed until the number of atoms on the reactant side equals the number of atoms on the product side. For example, in the unbalanced equation:

Cu + AlCl3 --> CuCl2 + Al, the number of copper and chlorine atoms on one side does not equal the other side. However, by adding coefficients to make the equation read 3Cu + 2AlCl3 --> 3CuCl2 + 2Al, everything adds up. Things to remember: balancing a chemical equation upholds the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed; and also the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation represent mole ratios.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?