BALANCING CHEMICAL EQUATIONS BY THE ALGEBRAIC METHOD

The algebraic method for balancing chemical equations is a systematic technique that uses algebraic variables to represent the coefficients of reactants and products. Below, I present the steps to balance chemical equations using this method:

Step 1: Write the chemical equation
Write the chemical equation with the reactants on the left and the products on the right.

Step 2: Assign algebraic variables
Assign algebraic variables (x, y, z, etc.) to represent the coefficients of the reactants and products.

Step 3: Establish balance equations
Establish balance equations for each chemical element present in the equation. For example, if the equation is:

aA + bB → cC + dD

The balance equations would be:

A: ax = cx
B: by = dy
C: cx = cz
D: dy = dz

Step 4: Solve the system of equations
Solve the system of balance equations to find the values ​​of the algebraic variables.

Step 5: Substitute the values ​​into the original equation
Substitute the values ​​of the algebraic variables into the original equation to obtain the balanced equation.

*Example*
Balance the chemical equation:

C + O2 → CO2

Assign algebraic variables:

x C + y O2 → z CO2

Establish balance equations:

C: x = z
Or: 2y = 2z

Solve the system of equations:

x = z = 1
y = z = 1

Substitute the values ​​into the original equation:

C + O2 → CO2

The balanced equation is:

1 C + 1 O2 → 1 CO2

I hope this example has helped you understand the algebraic method for balancing chemical equations.