, How to Learn to Balance Chemical Equations
To get the most out of this guide, you must be an active learner. That means trying the problems and then
checking your work. If you get one wrong, try to figure out why. Then if you need to, watch the video provided
for that specific equation. After that, go back and do the problem again!
Balancing equations really comes down to three key things:
• Counting atoms accurately.
• Changing coefficients (the numbers in front of substances).
• Checking your work (counting atoms again).
Let’s jump start your learning with my five-minute video that ties all these
ideas together. For many learners this makes it all click into place.
The guide has seven levels, each introducing a new idea and becoming more difficult.
Skip ahead if it’s too easy!
Big Ideas
Only change the Coefficients!
Never change the subscripts.
We will refer to Reactants and Products Invisible Coefficients
throughout this guide.
CO2 really means 1 CO2
But we don’t write the 1.
Invisible Subscripts
Reactants are Products are
on the left. on the right. CO2 really means C1O2
But we don’t write the 1.
1
, Periodic Table of Contents
Introduction……………….. 1
Table of Contents…………..2 Problems become more difficult
as you work through a level.
Two Examples……...………3
Skip ahead if it is too easy (and
Level 1: Counting Atoms……………4
you are getting them all right)!
25 Simple Equations……………5
Level 2: Balancing Odd Numbers…………………15
25 Odd Atoms Problems………..16
Level 3: Equations with Polyatomic Ions………….26
25 Equations with Polyatomic Ions……………27
Level 4: Combustion Equations and Fractional Coefficients….…37
25 Combustion and Fractional Equations …..…38
Level 5: 100 Different Equations to Balance……………48
Level 6: 25 Challenging Equations………………………66
Level 7: Beyond Balancing ……………76
About the Author…………………….…78
Acknowledgements ……………………79
And remember…
Only change the Coefficients!
Never, and I mean never, change the subscripts when balancing equations.
© 2024 Dr. Breslyn. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written
permission from the publisher. For permissions, visit www.Breslyn.org.
2
, Example One: Steps for Balancing Equations
Na + Cl2 → NaCl Step 1: Count the atoms on each side.
Na =1 Na = 1 Do this carefully, like an accountant.
Cl = 2 Cl = 1
Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl Step 2: Change the coefficients and
recount. The 2 in 2NaCl applies to both
Na =1 Na = 2
the Na and the Cl atoms. So, there are 2
Cl = 2 Cl = 2 Na atoms and 2 Cl atoms.
2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl
Step 3: Check your work! The number
Na =2 Na = 2 of Na and Cl atoms are the same on both
Cl = 2 Cl = 2 sides. You’re done!
Example Two: A Bit More Challenging Equation
NaOH + CuSO4 → Na2SO4 + Cu(OH)2
Na =1 Na = 2 This one looks harder, but it is
OH = 1 OH = 2 actually easy.
Cu = 1 Cu = 1 We’ll count the polyatomic ions
SO4 = 1 SO4 = 1 (OH and SO4) as one thing if they
are on both sides of the equation.
2NaOH + CuSO4 → Na2SO4 + Cu(OH)2
Na = 2 Na = 2
OH = 2 OH = 2 You’ll learn about polyatomic
ions later. For now, don’t let them
Cu = 1 Cu = 1
scare you!
SO4 = 1 SO4 = 1
Okay, now it’s up to you! Get balancing!
3
To get the most out of this guide, you must be an active learner. That means trying the problems and then
checking your work. If you get one wrong, try to figure out why. Then if you need to, watch the video provided
for that specific equation. After that, go back and do the problem again!
Balancing equations really comes down to three key things:
• Counting atoms accurately.
• Changing coefficients (the numbers in front of substances).
• Checking your work (counting atoms again).
Let’s jump start your learning with my five-minute video that ties all these
ideas together. For many learners this makes it all click into place.
The guide has seven levels, each introducing a new idea and becoming more difficult.
Skip ahead if it’s too easy!
Big Ideas
Only change the Coefficients!
Never change the subscripts.
We will refer to Reactants and Products Invisible Coefficients
throughout this guide.
CO2 really means 1 CO2
But we don’t write the 1.
Invisible Subscripts
Reactants are Products are
on the left. on the right. CO2 really means C1O2
But we don’t write the 1.
1
, Periodic Table of Contents
Introduction……………….. 1
Table of Contents…………..2 Problems become more difficult
as you work through a level.
Two Examples……...………3
Skip ahead if it is too easy (and
Level 1: Counting Atoms……………4
you are getting them all right)!
25 Simple Equations……………5
Level 2: Balancing Odd Numbers…………………15
25 Odd Atoms Problems………..16
Level 3: Equations with Polyatomic Ions………….26
25 Equations with Polyatomic Ions……………27
Level 4: Combustion Equations and Fractional Coefficients….…37
25 Combustion and Fractional Equations …..…38
Level 5: 100 Different Equations to Balance……………48
Level 6: 25 Challenging Equations………………………66
Level 7: Beyond Balancing ……………76
About the Author…………………….…78
Acknowledgements ……………………79
And remember…
Only change the Coefficients!
Never, and I mean never, change the subscripts when balancing equations.
© 2024 Dr. Breslyn. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written
permission from the publisher. For permissions, visit www.Breslyn.org.
2
, Example One: Steps for Balancing Equations
Na + Cl2 → NaCl Step 1: Count the atoms on each side.
Na =1 Na = 1 Do this carefully, like an accountant.
Cl = 2 Cl = 1
Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl Step 2: Change the coefficients and
recount. The 2 in 2NaCl applies to both
Na =1 Na = 2
the Na and the Cl atoms. So, there are 2
Cl = 2 Cl = 2 Na atoms and 2 Cl atoms.
2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl
Step 3: Check your work! The number
Na =2 Na = 2 of Na and Cl atoms are the same on both
Cl = 2 Cl = 2 sides. You’re done!
Example Two: A Bit More Challenging Equation
NaOH + CuSO4 → Na2SO4 + Cu(OH)2
Na =1 Na = 2 This one looks harder, but it is
OH = 1 OH = 2 actually easy.
Cu = 1 Cu = 1 We’ll count the polyatomic ions
SO4 = 1 SO4 = 1 (OH and SO4) as one thing if they
are on both sides of the equation.
2NaOH + CuSO4 → Na2SO4 + Cu(OH)2
Na = 2 Na = 2
OH = 2 OH = 2 You’ll learn about polyatomic
ions later. For now, don’t let them
Cu = 1 Cu = 1
scare you!
SO4 = 1 SO4 = 1
Okay, now it’s up to you! Get balancing!
3
