Question

How do you balance `CaO + H_2O -> Ca(OH)_2`?

Answer 1

It's already balanced!

Explanation:

This is an easy one, because it is already balanced. Balanced means that the number of atoms should be the same om the left (input) and the right (output) side of the arrow.

Let's see if that is indeed the case in the reaction `CaO + H_2O -> Ca(OH)_2`

• `Ca` : `1` left and `1` right
• `O`: `2` left and `2` right
• `H`: `2` left and `2` right

Note that the `2` in `Ca(OH)_2` applies to `(OH)` and not to `Ca`. You can read `(OH)_2` as `(OH + OH)`.

If you want to practice balancing chemical reactions, just search for 'balance' on this website and you will find numerous examples.