Resistance and Resistivity

Electric resistance is measured in ohms:

1 volt
1 ohm = ---------
1 amp

The resistance of a wire or rod to the flow of electric current depends both on its
geometry and its composition.

Wires with large cross-sections (thin ones) have small resistance; thick ones have large
resistance.

Short wires have small resistance; long ones have large resistance.

Different materials have different resistivities. The units of resistivity are ohm-meters.

The resistance of a wire or rod of uniform cross section can be calculated as

(resistivity) * (length)
Resistance = ------------------------
(cross section area)

The resistivity of a material depends on its temperature. Most metals have lower
resistance as the temperature drops.

The temperature coefficient of resistivity describes the change in resistivity as a

function of temperature:

resistivity (T) = resistivity (T0) * [1 - a*(T - T0)]

where
a = temperature coefficient of resistivity
T0 = reference temperature

Some materials become superconductors when they fall below a critical temperature.
They offer zero resistance to the flow of current.
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riting balanced chemical equations is essential for chemistry class. Here are examples of
balanced equations you can review or use for homework. Note that if you have "1" of something,
it does not get a coefficient or subscript. The word equations for a few of these reactions have
been provided, though most likely you'll be asked to provide only the standard chemical
equations.

6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 O2 (balanced equation for photosynthesis)

6 carbon dioxide + 6 water yields 1 glucose + 6 oxygen

How to Balance Chemical Equations

2 AgI + Na2S Ag2S + 2 NaI

2 silver iodide + 1 sodium sulfide yields 1 silver sulfide + 2 sodium iodide

Ba3N2 + 6 H2O 3 Ba(OH)2 + 2 NH3

3 CaCl2 + 2 Na3PO4 Ca3(PO4)2 + 6 NaCl

4 FeS + 7 O2 2 Fe2O3 + 4 SO2

PCl5 + 4 H2O H3PO4 + 5 HCl

2 As + 6 NaOH 2 Na3AsO3 + 3 H2

3 Hg(OH)2 + 2 H3PO4 Hg3(PO4)2 + 6 H2O

12 HClO4 + P4O10 4 H3PO4 + 6 Cl2O7

8 CO + 17 H2 C8H18 + 8 H2O

10 KClO3 + 3 P4 3 P4O10 + 10 KCl

SnO2 + 2 H2 Sn + 2 H2O

3 KOH + H3PO4 K3PO4 + 3 H2O

2 KNO3 + H2CO3 K2CO3 + 2 HNO3

Na3PO4 + 3 HCl 3 NaCl + H3PO4

TiCl4 + 2 H2O TiO2 + 4 HCl

C2H6O + 3 O2 2 CO2 + 3 H2O

2 Fe + 6 HC2H3O2 2 Fe(C2H3O2)3 + 3 H2
4 NH3 + 5 O2 4 NO + 6 H2O

B2Br6 + 6 HNO3 2 B(NO3)3 + 6 HBr

4 NH4OH + KAl(SO4)212H2O Al(OH)3 + 2 (NH4)2SO4 + KOH + 12 H2O

roblem #1: FeCl3 + MgO ---> Fe2O3 + MgCl2

Solution:

1) Balance the Cl (note that 2 x 3 = 3 x 2):

2FeCl3 + MgO ---> Fe2O3 + 3MgCl2

The Fe also gets balanced in this step.

2) Pick either the O or the Mg to balance next:

2FeCl3 + 3MgO ---> Fe2O3 + 3MgCl2

The other element (Mg or O, depending on which one you picked) also gets balanced in this step.

Problem #2: Li + H3PO4 ---> H2 + Li3PO4

Solution:

1) Balance the Li:

3Li + H3PO4 ---> H2 + Li3PO4

2) Now, look at the hydrogens. See how the H comes only in groups of 3 on the left and only in
groups of 2 on the right? Do this:

3Li + 2H3PO4 ---> 3H2 + Li3PO4

Remember 2 x 3 = 6 and 3 x 2 = 6. It shows up a lot in balancing problems (if you haven't

already figured that out!).

3) Balance the phosphate as a group:

3Li + 2H3PO4 ---> 3H2 + 2Li3PO4

4) Oops, that messed up the lithium, so we fix it:

6Li + 2H3PO4 ---> 3H2 + 2Li3PO4

Problem #3: ZnS + O2 ---> ZnO + SO2

1) Balance the oxygen with a fractional coefficient (Zn and S are already balanced):

ZnS + (3/2)O2 ---> ZnO + SO2

2) Multiply through to clear the fraction:

2ZnS + 3O2 ---> 2ZnO + 2SO2

Problem #4: FeS2 + Cl2 ---> FeCl3 + S2Cl2

Solution:

See how the Fe and the S are already balanced? So, look just at the Cl. There are a total of 5 on
the right-hand side, so we put 5 on the left:

FeS2 + (5/2)Cl2 ---> FeCl3 + S2Cl2

Clear the fraction by multiplying through by 2:

2FeS2 + 5Cl2 ---> 2FeCl3 + 2S2Cl2

Problem #5: Fe + HC2H3O2 ---> Fe(C2H3O2)3 + H2

Solution:

1) Balance the acetate:

Fe + 3HC2H3O2 ---> Fe(C2H3O2)3 + H2

2) Balance the hydrogen:

Fe + 3HC2H3O2 ---> Fe(C2H3O2)3 + (3/2)H2

3) Clear the fraction:

2Fe + 6HC2H3O2 ---> 2Fe(C2H3O2)3 + 3H2

Problem #6: H2(g) + V2O5(s) ---> V2O3(s) + H2O()

Solution:

1) Balance the oxygen:

H2(g) + V2O5(s) ---> V2O3(s) + 2H2O()

2) Balance the hydrogen:

2H2(g) + V2O5(s) ---> V2O3(s) + 2H2O()

Note that the vanadium was not addressed because it stayed in balance the entire time. Note how
the hydrogen started out balanced, but the balancing of oxygen affected the hydrogen, which we
addressed in the second step.

Problem #7: HCl(aq) + MnO2(s) ---> MnCl2(aq) + Cl2(g) + H2O()

Solution:

1) Balance the chlorine:

4HCl(aq) + MnO2(s) ---> MnCl2(aq) + Cl2(g) + H2O()

2) Balance the hydrogen:

4HCl(aq) + MnO2(s) ---> MnCl2(aq) + Cl2(g) + 2H2O()

With this last step, the oxygen is also balanced and the Mn was never mentioned because it
started out balanced and stayed that way.

Problem #8: Fe2O3(s) + C(s) ---> Fe(s) + CO2(g)

Solution:

1) Balance the iron:

Fe2O3(s) + C(s) ---> 2Fe(s) + CO2(g)

2) Balance the oxygen:

Fe2O3(s) + C(s) ---> 2Fe(s) + (3/2)CO2(g)

3) Balance the carbon:

Fe2O3(s) + (3/2)C(s) ---> 2Fe(s) + (3/2)CO2(g)

Note the three-halves in front of the C and the CO2. What's that you say? You can't have a three-
halves of an atom? Ah, just you wait.

4) Multiply through by two for the final answer:

2Fe2O3(s) + 3C(s) ---> 4Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)

Comment: one way to look at this is that using the three-halves was just a mathematical artifice
to balance the equation. The chemical reality of atoms reacting in ratios of small whole numbers
is reflected in the final answer.

Another way to look at the coefficients is in terms of moles. We can certainly have 3/2 of a mole
of carbon atoms or 3/2 of a mole of carbon dioxide molecules. The final step towards whole
number coefficients is just a convention. The chemical equation is balanced in a chemically-
correct sense with the fractional coefficients.

Problem #9: C5H11NH2 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O + NO2

Solution:

1) Balance the hydrogens first:

2C5H11NH2 + O2 ---> CO2 + 13H2O + NO2

Notice that I used a 2 in front of C5H11NH2. That's because I knew that there are 13 hydrogens in
the C5H11NH2 and that meant a 13/2 in front of the water. I knew I'd have to eventually clear the
13/2, so I decided to do so right at the start.

2) Balance the nitrogen and the carbon:

2C5H11NH2 + O2 ---> 10CO2 + 13H2O + 2NO2

3) Oxygen:

2C5H11NH2 + (37/2)O2 ---> 10CO2 + 13H2O + 2NO2

4) Multiply through by 2 for:

4, 37 ---> 20, 26, 4

Problem #10: CO2 + S8 ---> CS2 + SO2

Solution:

1) The only thing not balanced already is the S:

CO2 + (3/8)S8 ---> CS2 + SO2

Most of the time the fraction used to balance is something with a 2 in the denominator: 1/2 or 5/2
or 13/2. Not too often does one see 3/8. Pretty tricky!

2) Multiply through by 8:

8CO2 + 3S8 ---> 8CS2 + 8SO2

Bonus Problem: P4 + O2 ---> P2O3

Solution:

1) Suppose you decide to balance the oxygen first:

P4 + 3O2 ---> 2P2O3

This depends on seeing that the oxygen on the left comes in twos and the oxygen on the right
comes in threes. So, you use a three and a two to arrive at six oxygens on each side. Least
common multiple, baby!!

2) Suppose you balance the phosphorus first (with a whole number):

P4 + O2 ---> 2P2O3

Then, the oxygen gets balanced:

P4 + 3O2 ---> 2P2O3

3) Suppose you balance the phosphorus first (with a fraction):

(1/2)P4 + O2 ---> P2O3

Let us balance the oxygen with a fraction as well:

(1/2)P4 + (3/2)O2 ---> P2O3

Finally, multiply through by two:

P4 + 3O2 ---> 2P2O3

Problem #11: NH3(g) + N2O(g) ---> N2(g) + H2O(g)

Solution:

1) Balance the H:

2NH3(g) + N2O(g) ---> N2(g) + 3H2O(g)

I picked hydrogen to start with because I knew I had to balance it with two coefficients at the
same time. This is because H comes in threes on the left and in twos on the right. So, 2 x 3 = 3 x
2. I didn't pick oxygen to start with because it's already balanced. I didn't pick nitrogen because
it's in three of the four compounds. Start with the easiest one first.

2) Balance the O:

2NH3(g) + 3N2O(g) ---> N2(g) + 3H2O(g)

3) Balance the N:

2NH3(g) + 3N2O(g) ---> 4N2(g) + 3H2O(g)

and it's done!

Problem #12: NH3 + O2 ---> NO + H2O

Solution:

1) Balance the H:

2NH3 + O2 ---> NO + 3H2O

2) Balance the N:

2NH3 + O2 ---> 2NO + 3H2O

3) Balance the O:

2NH3 + (5/2)O2 ---> 2NO + 3H2O

4) Clear the fraction:

4NH3 + 5O2 ---> 4NO + 6H2O

Problem #13: NH3 + Cl2 ---> N2H4 + NH4Cl

Solution:

1) Chlorine is the simplest one to balance, so do it first:

NH3 + Cl2 ---> N2H4 + 2NH4Cl

2) Balance the N:

4NH3 + Cl2 ---> N2H4 + 2NH4Cl

This also balances the hydrogen. We're done!

Suppose you had picked the nitrogen first. You might have tried a 3 in front of the N on the left,
but then seen that that gave an odd number of H when you know that the number of H on the
right must always be even. maybe you then bump up the coefficient to 4 and then . . . .

Of course, this is why the chlorine is simpler. It's in one place on each side whereas the N is in
one place on the left, but two places on the right. Start with chlorine!

Problem #14: NH3 + F2 ---> N2F4 + HF

Solution:

Balance N: 2NH3 + F2 ---> N2F4 + HF

Balance H: 2NH3 + F2 ---> N2F4 + 6HF

Balance F: 2NH3 + 5F2 ---> N2F4 + 6HF

Reminder: always try to balance the simplest element first. By simplest, I mean the element that
appears in only one compound on each side. You could pick H in the above example and, if you
did, you'd go back and fix it after then balancing the nitrogens. A person with lots of experience
balancing would usually start with nitrogen (based just on experience), but starting with
hydrogen only makes the sequence one step longer.
Problem #15: NH3 + F2 ---> NH4F + NF3

Solution:

1) Pick the hydrogen first because it's the simplest one to balance (being in only one compound
on each side:

4NH3 + F2 ---> 3NH4F + NF3

2) This also balances the nitrogen. Finish with the fluorine:

4NH3 + 3F2 ---> 3NH4F + NF3

Problem #16: NH4NO3(s) ---> N2(g) + O2(g) + H2O(g)

Solution:

1) Balance H:

NH4NO3(s) ---> N2(g) + O2(g) + 2H2O(g)

2) Balance O:

NH4NO3(s) ---> N2(g) + (1/2)O2(g) + 2H2O(g)

3) Multiply through to clear fraction:

2NH4NO3(s) ---> 2N2(g) + O2(g) + 4H2O(g)

Note: nitrogen was always in balance, so it was never addressed.

Problem #17: N2O + CH4 ---> N2 + CO2 + H2O

Comment: the H and the O are interconnected because when you go to balance the H, that will
affect the O.

Solution:

1) Balance the H first:

N2O + CH4 ---> N2 + CO2 + 2H2O

2) Now, balance the O:

4N2O + CH4 ---> N2 + CO2 + 2H2O

3) And finish with the N:

N2O + CH4 ---> 4N2 + CO2 + 2H2O

Problem #18: NO2 + O2 + H2O ---> HNO3

Solution #1:

1) Balance H:

NO2 + O2 + H2O ---> 2HNO3

2) Balance N:

2NO2 + O2 + H2O ---> 2HNO3

3) Balance O (by taking away an O):

2NO2 + (1/2)O2 + H2O ---> 2HNO3

4) Multiply through by 2:

4NO2 + O2 + 2H2O ---> 4HNO3

Solution #2:

1) Balance H:

NO2 + O2 + H2O ---> 2HNO3

2) Notice that, with a 2 in front of HNO3, the total O on the left MUST be even because the
coefficient in front of HNO3 MUST be even, so as to balance H (since the H on the left only
comes in even amounts). Do this:

NO2 + O2 + H2O ---> 4HNO3

3) The reason is because the contribution of O from H2O must be an even amount, consequently
we must have an even coefficient in front of the H2O. Balance H:

NO2 + O2 + 2H2O ---> 4HNO3

4) Balance N:
4NO2 + O2 + 2H2O ---> 4HNO3

Problem #19: NO2 + H2O ----> HNO3 + NO

Solution #1:

1) The H is in one compound on the left and one compound on the right. Balance it first:

NO2 + H2O ---> 2HNO3 + NO

2) Balance the N:

3NO2 + H2O ---> 2HNO3 + NO

3) As a result of balacing the nitrogen, the oxygens also are balanced. We are done!

Solution #2:

balance N: 2NO2 + H2O ----> HNO3 + NO

balance H: 2NO2 + H2O ----> 2HNO3 + NO

rebalance N: 3NO2 + H2O ----> 2HNO3 + NO

check oxygens: seven on each side. Oxygen is balanced.

Problem #20: N2(g) + O2(g) + H2O ---> HNO3

Solution:

1) Balance the N:

N2(g) + O2(g) + H2O --> 2HNO3

2) Notice how that balances the H, so do the O:

N2(g) + (5/2)O2(g) + H2O --> 2HNO3

3) That (5/2)O2 is equal to 5 oxygen atoms, so add that the the one O in the H2O and the O is
balanced. However, we are not done:

2N2(g) + 5O2(g) + 2H2O --> 4HNO3

Now we're done!

Problem #21: N2H4 + N2O4 ---> N2 + H2O

Solution #1:

1) Balance the O:

N2H4 + N2O4 ---> N2 + 4H2O

2) Balance the H:

2N2H4 + N2O4 ---> N2 + 4H2O

3) Balance the N:

2N2H4 + N2O4 ---> 3N2 + 4H2O

Solution #2:

1) Since all of the hydrogen and all of the oxygen go to make H2O, we will need double the H on
the left-hand side compared to oxygen on the left-hand side:

2N2H4 + N2O4 ---> N2 + H2O

2) Balance the H and the O:

2N2H4 + N2O4 ---> N2 + 4H2O

3) Balance N:

2N2H4 + N2O4 ---> 3N2 + 4H2O

Problem #22: N2H4 + H2O2 ---> N2 + H2O

Solution:

1) The nitrogen is balanced. The oxygen is in one place on each side. Balance it:

N2H4 + H2O2 ---> N2 + 2H2O

2) The hydrogens are not balanced. And notice that the oxygens on the left side only come in
twos. So, do this:
N2H4 + H2O2 ---> N2 + 4H2O

3) Fix the oxygen and see what happens to the hydrogen:

N2H4 + 2H2O2 ---> N2 + 4H2O

Eight hydrogens on each side. The equation is balanced.

Here's another way:

Balance the oxygen, as above:

N2H4 + H2O2 ---> N2 + 2H2O

Balance the hydrogens with a fractional coefficient:

(1/2)N2H4 + H2O2 ---> N2 + 2H2O

That messes up the balance of nitrogen, so fix it:

(1/2)N2H4 + H2O2 ---> (1/2)N2 + 2H2O

Multiply through to clear the fraction.

Problem #23: N2O4 + H2O ---> HNO3 + NO

Solution:

1) The nitrogens are balanced, but the hydrogens are not. Balance the hydrogens (and ignore the
oxygen for the moment):

N2O4 + H2O ---> 2HNO3 + NO

2) This throws the nitrogen out of balance, so fix it (still ignoring the oxygens):

(3/2)N2O4 + H2O ---> 2HNO3 + NO

3) Nitrogen and hydrogen both balanced. Check the oxygens to find 7 on each side, so it's
balanced as well. Clear the fraction:

3N2O4 + 2H2O ---> 4HNO3 + 2NO

Problem #24: NaOH + Al --> Al2O3 + H2 + Na2O

Solution:

1) Balance the Al:

NaOH + 2Al --> Al2O3 + H2 + Na2O

2) Balance the Na:

2NaOH + 2Al --> Al2O3 + H2 + Na2O

3) This balances the hydrogen, but the oxygen is still not balanced. Since oxygen is only in the
NaOH on the left, try this:

4NaOH + 2Al --> Al2O3 + H2 + 2Na2O

4) Oxygen is still not balanced, but notice that, in the first try, the oxygen difference was two too
many on the right. In the second try, the difference is one too many on the right. So, try this:

6NaOH + 2Al --> Al2O3 + H2 + 3Na2O

5) The oxygen is balanced. Finish with the hydrogen:

6NaOH + 2Al --> Al2O3 + 3H2 + 3Na2O

This situation where the difference in amounts getting smaller (seen in step 4) occurs from time
to time. Be aware of it.

Problem #25: KMnO4 ---> K2O + MnO + O2

Solution:

1) Balance K:

2KMnO4 ---> K2O + MnO + O2

2) Balance Mn:

2KMnO4 ---> K2O + 2MnO + O2

3) Balance O:

2KMnO4 ---> K2O + 2MnO + (5/2)O2

Eight O on the left and, on the right, one in the K2O and two in the 2MnO, so five more needed.
(5/2)O2 is 5 O atoms.

4) Multiply through by 2 to clear the fraction:

4KMnO4 ---> 2K2O + 4MnO + 5O2

roblem #26: Ca(AlO2)2(s) + HCl (aq) ---> AlCl3(aq) + CaCl2(aq) + H2O()

Solution:

1) Balance the Al:

Ca(AlO2)2(s) + HCl (aq) ---> 2AlCl3(aq) + CaCl2(aq) + H2O()

2) Balance the Cl:

Ca(AlO2)2(s) + 8HCl (aq) ---> 2AlCl3(aq) + CaCl2(aq) + H2O()

3) Balance the H:

Ca(AlO2)2(s) + 8HCl (aq) ---> 2AlCl3(aq) + CaCl2(aq) + 4H2O()

This last step takes care of the oxygen and the Ca was balanced from the start and never needed
to be looked at during the above balancing.

Problem #27: C6H6 + H2O2 ---> CO2 + H2O

Solution:

1) Balance the carbon:

C6H6 + H2O2 ---> 6CO2 + H2O

The problem now becomes one of balancing the H and the O at the same time. What I plan to do
is pick one and balance it and see what effect it has on the other. I pick hydrogen.

2) First hydrogen attempt:

C6H6 + H2O2 ---> 6CO2 + 4H2O

oxygen on left = 2; on right = 16. Difference = 14

3) Second hydrogen attempt:

C6H6 + 2H2O2 ---> 6CO2 + 5H2O

oxygen on left = 4; on right = 17. Difference = 13

Hey, look. The difference went down by 1. That sparks an idea.

4) Third hydrogen attempt:

C6H6 + 15H2O2 ---> 6CO2 + 18H2O

oxygen on left = 30; on right = 30. Difference = 0

Are the hydrogens still balanced? Yes, 36 on each side.

We have a winner!

Can you work the same idea, but with oxygen? Of course you can. After this:

C6H6 + H2O2 ---> 6CO2 + H2O

You do this:

C6H6 + (13/2)H2O2 ---> 6CO2 + H2O

Get rid of the fraction:

2C6H6 + 13H2O2 ---> 12CO2 + 2H2O

hydrogen on left = 38; on right = 4. Difference = 34

Try new numbers that still keep the oxygen in balance:

2C6H6 + 14H2O2 ---> 12CO2 + 4H2O

hydrogen on left = 40; on right = 8. Difference = 32

The difference went down by 2

Try new numbers:

2C6H6 + 30H2O2 ---> 12CO2 + 36H2O

hydrogen on left = 72; on right = 72. Difference = 0

Are the oxygens still balanced? Yes, there are 60 on each side.

Divide through by 2:

C6H6 + 15H2O2 ---> 6CO2 + 18H2O

Problem #28: Fe + O2 + H2O ---> Fe(OH)2

Solution:

As the equation is presented, the Fe and the H are already balanced. Let's leave them alone, if at
all possible.

When we examine the O, we see three on the left and two on the right. Is there any way to
decrease the oxygen on the left?

The answer is yes, we will use a 1/2, as follows:

Fe + (1/2)O2 + H2O ---> Fe(OH)2

This creates a total of 2 O on the left-hand side and the equation is balanced.

The accepted way to present an equation is with only whole-number coefficients, so we multiply
through by a factor of 2 to arrive at the final answer:

2Fe + O2 + 2H2O ---> 2Fe(OH)2

Problem #29: MgNH4PO4 ---> Mg2P2O7 + NH3 + H2O

Solution:

1) We can balance the Mg and the P at the same time:

2MgNH4PO4 ---> Mg2P2O7 + NH3 + H2O

Since the Mg and the P only occur in one place on each side, that's the best place to start. The N
is also in one place on each side, but it started out balanced and now it's not. So, . . .

2) Balance the N:

2MgNH4PO4 ---> Mg2P2O7 + 2NH3 + H2O

3) Balance H or O next?
You can pick either one, they are in equivalent circumstances. Each is in one place on the left and
two places on the right.

Examine each in turn to verify they are both balanced.

We're done!

Problem #30: AlCl3(s) + Ca3N2(s) ---> AlN(s) + CaCl2(s)

Solution #1:

1) Balance the Ca:

AlCl3(s) + Ca3N2(s) ---> AlN(s) + 3CaCl2(s)

2) Balance the N:

AlCl3(s) + Ca3N2(s) ---> 2AlN(s) + 3CaCl2(s)

3) Balance the Al:

2AlCl3(s) + Ca3N2(s) ---> 2AlN(s) + 3CaCl2(s)

Note that the Cl is also balanced by balancing the Al.

Solution #2:

1) Balance the Cl by using two coefficients:

2AlCl3(s) + Ca3N2(s) ---> AlN(s) + 3CaCl2(s)

Note that this balances the Ca.

2) The Al and the N are balanced at the same time:

2AlCl3(s) + Ca3N2(s) ---> 2AlN(s) + 3CaCl2(s)

Problem #31: HNCO ---> C3N3(NH2)3 + CO2

Solution:

1) Ignore the C and the O. Balance the H and the N (because they are both in one place on the
right and one place on the left):
6HNCO ---> C3N3(NH2)3 + CO2

I agree that O is in only one place on the left and one place on the right. However, trying to
balance it with 2HNCO then creates problems for the H and the N, as well as then requiring
2CO2, which then requires 4HNCO. You eventually get to the right answer that way, but it's more
of a hassle. How do you know in advance to focus on the H and the N? The answer is by
experience and, yes, it is why I have so many examples.

2) Balance the O:

6HNCO ---> C3N3(NH2)3 + 3CO2

This also balances the C and the equation is now balanced.

Problem #32: This scary looking equation:

K4Fe(CN)6 + H2SO4 + H2O ---> K2SO4 + FeSO4 + (NH4)2SO4 + CO

looks like it might be a complicated redox equation involving three half-reactions (based on the
Fe, the C and the N). However, when you examine the oxidation state of each element, you find
that nothing changes.

Solution:

1) K, Fe, N and C all go from one reactant to one product. Balance them all:

K4Fe(CN)6 + H2SO4 + H2O ---> 2K2SO4 + FeSO4 + 3(NH4)2SO4 + 6CO

2) Sulfate is in only one place as a reactant. Add up the sulfates on the right-hand side and
balance:

K4Fe(CN)6 + 6H2SO4 + H2O ---> 2K2SO4 + FeSO4 + 3(NH4)2SO4 + 6CO

3) The only elements left are the H in the ammonium sulfate and the O in the carbon monoxide.
Count them up to get 24 H and 6 O. 12 H are accounted for in the sulfuric acid, so balance the
rest (12 H and 6 O) using the water on the left:

K4Fe(CN)6 + 6H2SO4 + 6H2O ---> 2K2SO4 + FeSO4 + 3(NH4)2SO4 + 6CO

Problem #33: KAlSi3O8 + CO2 + H2O ---> Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + H4SiO4 + KHCO3

Solution:
Looks pretty intimidating, doesn't it? Let's see what happens.

1) Balance the Al:

2KAlSi3O8 + CO2 + H2O ---> Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + H4SiO4 + KHCO3

2) Balance the Si:

2KAlSi3O8 + CO2 + H2O ---> Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4H4SiO4 + KHCO3

3) Balance the K:

2KAlSi3O8 + CO2 + H2O ---> Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4H4SiO4 + 2KHCO3

4) Balance the C:

2KAlSi3O8 + 2CO2 + H2O ---> Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4H4SiO4 + 2KHCO3

5) Balance the H:

2KAlSi3O8 + 2CO2 + 11H2O ---> Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4H4SiO4 + 2KHCO3

You may check the oxygens if you wish. They are balanced.

Comment: I picked the Al to start because it was in one place on the left and one place on the
right AND it was out of balance. True, the Si was also out of balance, but it was in one place on
the left and two places on the right. Al was the simpler one to balance, so I started there.

I went with the H at the end because it was simpler than the oxygen. I had all my coefficients on
the right and H was in one place on the left. Once I balanced the H, the oxygen followed right
along in being balanced.

Problem #34: CH3CCl3 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O + Cl2

1) Note the Cl, with three on the left and 2 on the right. Do this:

2CH3CCl3 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O + 3Cl2

2) Balance C:

2CH3CCl3 + O2 ---> 4CO2 + H2O + 3Cl2

3) Balance H:
2CH3CCl3 + O2 ---> 4CO2 + 3H2O + 3Cl2

4) Balance O:

2CH3CCl3 + (11/2)O2 ---> 4CO2 + 3H2O + 3Cl2

5) Clear fraction

4CH3CCl3 + 11O2 ---> 8CO2 + 6H2O + 6Cl2

Problem #35: CO + Fe3O4 ---> CO2 + Fe

The problem is that, in order to balance the oxygen, I must use the same coefficient in front of
the CO and the CO2. Obviously one does not work. Let's try 2:

2CO + Fe3O4 ---> 2CO2 + Fe

Did not work, but notice that, when using 1, the gap is three oxygen. When there is a 2, the gap
has closed to two oxygen. Let's try three:

3CO + Fe3O4 ---> 3CO2 + Fe

Still not balanced by the gap is now one oxygen. There is a pattern! Use 4:

4CO + Fe3O4 ---> 4CO2 + Fe

The oxygen is now balanced and the carbon is also balanced, so finish off the iron:

4CO + Fe3O4 ---> 4CO2 + 3Fe

Problem #36: H2S + CO -----> CH3COOH + S8

1) Balance the H:

2H2S + CO -----> CH3COOH + S8

2) Balance the S:

2H2S + CO -----> CH3COOH + (1/4)S8

3) Balance the C and the O at the same time:

2H2S + 2CO -----> CH3COOH + (1/4)S8

4) Clear the fraction:

8H2S + 8CO -----> 4CH3COOH + S8

Problem #37: H2S(g) + SO2(g) ---> S8(s) + H2O(g)

1) Balance the O (because it's on one side on the left and one side on the right):

H2S(g) + SO2(g) ---> S8(s) + 2H2O(g)

2) Balance the H (it was balanced before, but balancing the O messed it up):

2H2S(g) + SO2(g) ---> S8(s) + 2H2O(g)

3) Balance the S (the only element left unbalanced):

2H2S(g) + SO2(g) ---> (3/8)S8(s) + 2H2O(g)

4) Clear the fraction:

16H2S(g) + 8SO2(g) ---> 3S8(s) + 16H2O(g)

Fractions with a denominator of 8 sure have a tendency to show up when S8 is involved. :-)

Problem #38: FeSO4 ---> Fe2O3 + SO2 + SO3

Solution #1:

1) Try breaking it up:

Left: Fe-1, S-1, O-4

Right: Fe-2, S-2, O-8

2) So you need to multiply everything on the left by 2 to balance it:

2FeSO4 ---> Fe2O3 + SO2 + SO3

Note: the ChemTeam saw the above solution scrawled on an Internet cave wall and thought it
was interesting. Hope you do too!

Solution #2:
Put a 2 in front of the FeSO4 in order to balance the iron. Then, as you examine the equation, you
see that everything else is balanced.

Problem #39: Pb(NO3)2 + FeCl3 ---> Fe(NO3)3 + PbCl2

Solution:

Comment: notice that the Pb and the Fe are already balanced, so let us turn our attention
elsewhere.

1) Balance the nitrates:

3Pb(NO3)2 + FeCl3 ---> 2Fe(NO3)3 + PbCl2

Notice that this put the Pb and the Fe out of balance.

2) Balance the chlorides:

3Pb(NO3)2 + 2FeCl3 ---> 2Fe(NO3)3 + 3PbCl2

And in so doing, the Pb and the Fe are both balanced.

Comment: I could have done the chlorides first:

Pb(NO3)2 + 2FeCl3 ---> Fe(NO3)3 + 3PbCl2

then the nitrates:

3Pb(NO3)2 + 2FeCl3 ---> 2Fe(NO3)3 + 3PbCl2

Problem #40: C3H5(NO3)3 ---> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2

Solution:

1) Balance the hydrogen first:

2C3H5(NO3)3 -----> CO2 + 5H2O + N2 + O2

I picked the hydrogens to go first because I realized, if I started with the carbon, I'd have to go
back and change its coefficient. How did I know this? The subscripts of 5 and 2. I know that only
a 2 on the left and a 5 on the right will balance the H. I could have started with C, but then I
would have to go back and change the carbon coefficients after I finished balancing the H.
2) Now balance the carbon:

2C3H5(NO3)3 -----> 6CO2 + 5H2O + N2 + O2

3) Balance the nitrogen:

2C3H5(NO3)3 -----> 6CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + O2

4) Eighteen O on the left, nineteen on the right, so balance the O on the right by removing one
(O2 to (1/2)O2):

2C3H5(NO3)3 -----> 6CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + (1/2)O2

5) Multiply through by 2 for the final answer:

4C3H5(NO3)3 -----> 12CO2 + 10H2O + 6N2 + O2

Problem #41: CO(NH2)2 + NO2 ---> CO2 + H2O + N2

Solution:

The key is to leave balancing the oxygen to the end. Notice that, as written, C and N are already
balanced, so we will start out with the hydrogen. Also, leave the nitrogen to the end, after the
oxygen.

1) Here is my first attempt to balance the H:

CO(NH2)2 + NO2 ----> CO2 + 2H2O + N2

However, this means there really isn't any way to balance the oxygen. This is because any
atttempt to balance the N (using the NO2) winds up affecting the oxygens. However, then you
affect the C when you try to balance the O. It's pretty bad!

2) However, let me try this:

CO(NH2)2 + NO2 ----> CO2 + 4H2O + N2

then this to balance the H:

2CO(NH2)2 + NO2 ----> CO2 + 4H2O + N2

Why did I go from 2 to 4 on the H2O? Because I knew that my H on the left would only balance
in steps of 4, so the next choice was 8 H and I did that with the 4 in front of the H2O. That meant
a 2 in front of the CO(NH2)2 and, hopefully, that's clear to you.
3) Balance the C

2CO(NH2)2 + NO2 ----> 2CO2 + 4H2O + N2

4) Now look at the O on the right. I have 8. I can balance the O now:

2CO(NH2)2 + 3NO2 ----> 2CO2 + 4H2O + N2

5) Now the N:

2CO(NH2)2 + 3NO2 ----> 2CO2 + 4H2O + (7/2)N2

6) Multiply through by 2 and it's done.

Problem #42: C2H2 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O

Solution:

Balance C:

C2H2 + O2 ---> 2CO2 + H2O

H is already balanced. Balance O with 5 oxygens on the left:

C2H2 + (5/2)O2 ---> 2CO2 + H2O

Clear fraction:

2C2H2 + 5O2 ---> 4CO2 + 2H2O

Problem #43: Ag2O + NH4OH + NH4NO3 ----> [Ag(NH3)2]NO3 + H2O

Solution:

1) Balance the silver:

Ag2O + NH4OH + NH4NO3 ----> 2[Ag(NH3)2]NO3 + H2O

2) Balance the nitrate, as a group:

Ag2O + NH4OH + 2NH4NO3 ----> 2[Ag(NH3)2]NO3 + H2O

3) Note that the source of the 4 ammonia on the right side are the ammonium ions on the left.
Finish balancing the ammonia:

Ag2O + 2NH4OH + 2NH4NO3 ----> 2[Ag(NH3)2]NO3 + H2O

4) Balance the left-over hydrogens and oxygens:
Ag2O + 2NH4OH + 2NH4NO3 ----> 2[Ag(NH3)2]NO3 + 3H2O

Why a three in front of the water? Let's see what extra existed on the left side before placing the
three:

a) one oxygen from the Ag2O

b) two H and two OH from 2NH4OH (this compound was the source of two ammonia,
everything else still needs to be balanced
c) two H from 2NH4NO3

The total left over is 6 H and 3 O, leading to the three in front of the H2O on the right.

Problem #44: HClO4 + P4O10 ---> H3PO4 + Cl2O7

Solution:

Since oxygen is in all four compounds, ignore it until the end.

1) Balance the P:

HClO4 + P4O10 ---> 4H3PO4 + Cl2O7

2) Balance the H:

12HClO4 + P4O10 ---> 4H3PO4 + Cl2O7

3) Balance the Cl:

12HClO4 + P4O10 ---> 4H3PO4 + 6Cl2O7

4) Check the oxygen:

48 + 10 = 16 + 42

It's balanced.

Problem #45: C4H10S + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O + SO2

Solution:

1) Balance the carbon:

C4H10S + O2 ---> 4CO2 + H2O + SO2

2) Balance the hydrogen:

C4H10S + O2 ---> 4CO2 + 5H2O + SO2

3) Balance the oxygen:

C4H10S + (15/2)O2 ---> 4CO2 + 5H2O + SO2

4) Clear the fractional coefficient:

2C4H10S + 15O2 ---> 8CO2 + 10H2O + 2SO2

Notice how I completely ignored the sulfur? That's because, from the beginning, it was already
balanced. As I went through the steps, it remained balanced the entire time, so I never had to deal
with it.

Example 1

C5H12 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O

Answer
There are five carbons on the left but only one on the right, and on each side the carbon is in a
single chemical species. Put a 5 in front of the CO2 on the right hand side.

C5H12 + O2 ---> 5CO2 + H2O

There are twelve hydrogens on the left but only two on the right hand side, and hydrogen is in a
single species on each side. Put a 6 in front of the H2O on the right hand side.

C5H12 + O2 ---> 5CO2 + 6H2O

Finally, there are only two oxygens on the left hand side but 16 of them on the right hand side.
So put a 8 in front of the O2 on the left hand side.

C5H12 + 8O2 ---> 5CO2 + 6H2O

It's now a balanced chemical equation.
Example 2

Zn + HCl ---> ZnCl2 + H2

Answer
There are two chlorines on the right but only one on the left, and the chlorine is in a single
chemical species on each side . Put a 2 in front of the HCl on the left hand side.

Zn + 2HCl ---> ZnCl2 + H2

And if you look carefully, you will see that the equation is now balanced, with one Zn on each
side, two hydrogens on each side and two chlorines on each side. Some examples can be rather
easy!

Example 3

Ca(OH)2 + H3PO4 ---> Ca3(PO4)2 + H2O

Answer
There are three calciums on the right but only one on the left, and the calcium is in a single
chemical species on each side . Put a 3 in front of the Ca(OH)2 on the left hand side.

3Ca(OH)2 + H3PO4 ---> Ca3(PO4)2 + H2O

There are two PO4 ions on the right but only one on the left side, and the P doesn't appear
anywhere else (so the group remains intact). Put a 2 in front of the H3PO4 on the left side.

3Ca(OH)2 + 2H3PO4 ---> Ca3(PO4)2 + H2O

Finally, there are six oxygens on the left hand side not present as PO4 but only one on the right
hand side not in the PO4. So put a 6 in front of the H2O on the right hand side.

3Ca(OH)2 + 2H3PO4 ---> Ca3(PO4)2 + 6H2O

It's now a balanced equation. Note how we treated the PO4 ion as a single species to be
balanced.

Example 4

FeCl3 + NH4OH ---> Fe(OH)3 + NH4Cl

Answer
The most obvious error is that there are three chlorines on the left but only one on the right, and
the chlorine is in a single chemical species on each side . Put a 3 in front of the NH4Cl on the
right hand side.

FeCl3 + NH4OH ---> Fe(OH)3 + 3NH4Cl

The next most obvious unbalanced part is that there are now three NH4 groups on the right but
only one on the left hand side. So put a 3 in front of the NH4OH on the left.

FeCl3 + 3NH4OH ---> Fe(OH)3 + 3NH4Cl

And if you count up the atoms on each side, you will see that this is now a balanced chemical
equation.

Example 5

S8 + F2 ---> SF6

Answer
If we start by balancing the fluorine, we know that as soon as we try to balance the sulfur, we
will have to alter the fluorine again. So start with the sulfur. There are eight of them on the left
but only one on the right. Put an 8 in front of the SF6

S8 + F2 ---> 8SF6

And now we can see that there are 48 fluorines on the right and only two on the left, so put a 24
in front of the F2 on the left.

S8 + 24F2 ---> 8SF6

And that chemical equation is now balanced. Check this by counting the number of atoms of
each type on each side.

Example 6

C2H6 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O

Answer
There are two carbons on the left but only one on the right, and the carbon is in a single
chemical species on each side. Put a 2 in front of the CO2 on the right hand side.

C2H6 + O2 ---> 2CO2 + H2O

Because the oxygen is in two compounds on the right, we will look at the hydrogen next as it is in
one compound on each side of the equation. There are six hydrogens on the left and two on the
right - put a 3 in front of the H2O on the right

C2H6 + O2 ---> 2CO2 + 3H2O

Now we have two oxygens on the left and seven on the right. Put a 3 1/2 in front of the O2 on the
left.

C2H6 + 3 1/2O2 ---> 2CO2 + 3H2O

BUT we don't like having a half in a chemical equation, so multiply every coefficient on both
sides by two.

2C2H6 + 7O2 ---> 4CO2 + 6H2O

And this is now a balanced chemical equation.

xample 7

Al2(CO3)3 + H3PO4 ---> AlPO4 + CO2 + H2O

Answer
There are two Al atoms on the left, but only one on the right, and the Al is in a single chemical
species on each side, so we need 2AlPO4 to balance the Al
Al2(CO3)3 + H3PO4 ---> 2AlPO4 + CO2 + H2O

There are now two PO4 units on the right, and only one on the left, and there is no other
phosphorus containing species, so let's make it 2H3PO4 on the left
Al2(CO3)3 + 2H3PO4 ---> 2AlPO4 + CO2 + H2O

There are three carbons on the left, and only one on the right, so we need to make it 3CO2 on the
right
Al2(CO3)3 + 2H3PO4 ---> 2AlPO4 + 3CO2 + H2O

Nearly done, but there are six hydrogens on the left and only two on the right, so it should be
3H2O on the right
Al2(CO3)3 + 2H3PO4 ---> 2AlPO4 + 3CO2 + 3H2O

And if you count them up carefully, there are now 17 oxygens on each side of the equation, so it
is now balanced.