Question

How do you balance a chemical equation? For example: `H_2 + O_2 = H_2O`

Answer 1

`"Garbage in equals garbage out!"`

Explanation:

In every chemical reaction mass is conserved. If I start with `10*g` of reactant, at most I am going to `10*g` of product. In practice, I am not even going to get that, because losses invariably occur on handling.

So to your question:

`H_2(g) + 1/2O_2(g) rarr H_2O(l)`

Is mass conserved here? How would I remove the non-integral stoichiometric coefficient? What is a stoichiometric coefficient?

Here is a similar question. Methane, `CH_4`, burns on a gas cooker. It combines with oxygen, `O_2`, to give carbon dioxide, `CO_2`, and water, `H_2O`.

`"Methane + oxygen "rarr" carbon dioxide + water"`

Can you propose a balanced symbol equation? What about for ehane, `H_3C-CH_3`?