Balancing Chemical Equations

Conservation of mass through coefficient adjustment

Chemical equations represent reactions where atoms rearrange but are never created or destroyed (Law of Conservation of Mass, Lavoisier 1789). Balancing means finding the smallest set of integer coefficients so that every element has equal atom counts on both sides. Strategy: balance metals first, then nonmetals, then hydrogen, and oxygen last. For combustion reactions, balance C first, then H, then O. Redox reactions may require half-reaction balancing. A balanced equation is the foundation of stoichiometry — it tells you the mole ratios needed for quantitative calculations.