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Fundamentals

A balanced chemical equation shows the number of particles of each substance involved in a chemical reaction. Such an equation includes formulas and coefficients. The formulas include symbols for each type of atom in the substance. The coefficients are the numbers present in front of the formulas. The act of balancing a chemical equation involves selecting the lowest possible set of coefficients that would provide the same number of atoms of each element on the reactant and the product side of the equation.
 

There are two questions in this Question Group. The two questions are very similar or are of similar difficulty level. The question below is one of the questions.
 

Version 1:
Identify the lowest possible whole number coefficients that balance the chemical equation.
 

Na      +       O2    →    Na2O

 

How to Think About This Situation

To be successful with this question, you need to know what a balanced chemical equation involves. You also need to have a good strategy for how to balance a chemical equation. The two infographics below describe these two ideas. Study the graphics, giving particular attention to the Step-by-Step Balancing Method  and the Example in the second infographic. Some specific information regarding this question are provided after the second infographic.

 





 

Some Specifics About This Question Group

The two versions of questions in this Question Group are similar.  There are two elements in the skeleton equation. Neither of them are balanced. You will have to select one of the elements to balance first.  While either of them will work, it will be easier if you start with the element O. Place a coefficient in front of Na2O (or Li2O) to balance the O. Once done, balance the element Na (or Li) by placing a coefficient in front of the formula Na (or Li). Do an Atom Count (always the final step) and you should be done.

But what happens if you start the balancing act with the element Na? It works this way but you will first balance the Na and then do the O. In the process of balancing the O, you will end up unbalancing the Na. It's not a big deal since the entire method is a trial-and-error method. After balancing the O, you will have to readjust the coefficient in front of Na to re-balance the Na. If you always make a habit of doing an Atom Count as your final step, you would realize that the Na was not balanced after balancing the element O.

 

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