Balance the following equation: _H2+ __02 - __ H20

2

H

2

+

O

2

=

2

H

2

O

Explanation:

From the original equation, you first need to write each component separately.

H

2

+

O

2

=

H

2

O

Left side: H = 2 ; O = 2 (number based on the subscript)

Right side: H = 2 ; O = 1 (number based on the subscripts; no subscript means that the element is just 1)

Notice that the number of H is already balance but the number of O is not. In order to balance the O, you need to multiply the element by 2, but you CANNOT do this by simply changing the subscript.

Hence,

H

2

+

O

2

=

2

H

2

O

Left side: H = 2 ; O = 2

Right side: H = 2 x 2 = 4 ; O = 1 x 2 = 2

Now, notice that the number of O is now balance (both are 2) but the number of H is not (since

H

2

O

is a substance and not an element, you need to multiply everything by 2). So, what to do?

You also multiply the left side H by 2. Hence,

2

H

2

+

O

2

=

2

H

2

O

Left side: H = 2 x 2 = 4 ; O = 2

Right side: H = 2 x 2 = 4 ; O = 1 x 2 = 2

The equation is now balanced.

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