Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing Chemical Equations

When a chemical reaction takes place, the number of atoms of each element must stay the same before and after the reaction — this follows the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Example (Unbalanced):
Fe + H₂O → Fe₃O₄ + H₂
This doesn’t have equal atoms on both sides.

Balanced:
3Fe + 4H₂O → Fe₃O₄ + 4H₂
Now, the number of iron (Fe), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms is the same on both sides.