Chemistry Formula Method Suggestions

[CrazCo]

Hey again! I am just wondering like is there any methods to help me balance chemistry forumals. I can do the basics with the algebra formula, but with questions like:FeSO4 + K2Cr2O7 > Cl2 + CrCl3 + KCl + H2O i get dearly confused.

 

so any methods?

[Mr Skeptic]

Add up each individual element. There should be as many atoms of each element on both sides.

[ChemSiddiqui]

I wouldn't think there is any method except trying to balance the numbers of atoms of each individial element on both sides. The best thing however is to practice and practice. Good Luck!

[Darkblade48]

Perhaps it's just me that is missing something, but how come the conservation of matter is not followed in the equation?

[Mr Skeptic]

I'm no chemist, but you may be able to solve this like you would a set of equations using the matrix method. That may be more trouble than it is worth, though. Perhaps it would help if you solved the more uncommon element first?

[John Cuthber]

"Perhaps it's just me that is missing something, but how come the conservation of matter is not followed in the equation?"

It should be once the equation is balanced, that's the point.

However, the equation given above simply doesn't make sense.

If you react those starting materials you simply cannot get those products.

There's nowhere for the chlorine to have come from.

I guess it was just a hastilly made up example.

 

There is a helpful fact. If you look at reactions like this you can sometimes balance them by looking at where the electrons go.

[Darkblade48]

It should be once the equation is balanced, that's the point.

However, the equation given above simply doesn't make sense.

If you react those starting materials you simply cannot get those products.

There's nowhere for the chlorine to have come from.

Yes, this was my point I was trying to make. The chlorine on the right side appears from no where, and the iron and sulfur on the left disappear.

[CrazCo]

yay so it was the teacher and not me

[Mr Skeptic]

Right, to balance an equation you need to know the reactants and products. In some reactions, you could deduce some of these. The equation in post 1 though has iron and sulfur disappearing, and chlorine and hydrogen appearing.

 

yay so it was the teacher and not me

 

Probably.

[CrazCo]

but one second i have another one i know works and i just can't get (will edit this post) I dont want the answers, more of a method to come to an answer

 

this one

 

HNO3 + Cu = NO2 + Cu(NO3)2

 

now i know it is easy to try random combinations of coefficients until it is balanced, but i want to know a method rather than jsut guessing

[Mr Skeptic]

but one second i have another one i know works and i just can't get (will edit this post) I dont want the answers, more of a method to come to an answer

 

this one

 

HNO3 + Cu = NO2 + Cu(NO3)2

 

now i know it is easy to try random combinations of coefficients until it is balanced, but i want to know a method rather than jsut guessing

 

First of all, your H disappears. I would suggest adding water as a product, and possibly H2 or O2 if you need. Then I recommend balancing the least common element here (Cu). Then if you need to balance one of the reactants containing an element you already balanced, you need to multiply all terms containing it (eg both Cu and Cu(NO3)2) by the same amount so it stays balanced.

[CrazCo]

First of all, your H disappears. I would suggest adding water as a product, and possibly H2 or O2 if you need. Then I recommend balancing the least common element here (Cu). Then if you need to balance one of the reactants containing an element you already balanced, you need to multiply all terms containing it (eg both Cu and Cu(NO3)2) by the same amount so it stays balanced.

 

 

Oops! This time it was my fault theres actually a +H2O at the end of the second side/ Sorru