Which of the following are steps for balancing chemical equations?

Check all that apply.
A. Count the atoms in each substance in the reactants and products.
B. Add all the elements together.
C. Write the chemical equation using formulas and symbols.
D. Subtract the total amount of elements from the products.

1 Answer
Apr 21, 2018

Well, #D# seems to be the #"non-sequitir"#...

Explanation:

Chemical reactions (i) balance charge, and (ii) balance mass...and every chemical reaction EVER studied has conformed to these principles. The number of elements in the products is irrelevant...i.e. for a decomposition reaction...

#PbO(s) + Delta rarr Pb(s) + 1/2O_2(g)#

...this is stoichiometrically balanced, and elements are both of the products.