Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

3. Chemical Reactions

Balancing Chemical Equations

General Chemistry

3. Chemical Reactions

Balancing Chemical Equations

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct first step in balancing a chemical equation?

Adjust the coefficients to balance the number of atoms for each element.

Add new compounds to the equation to balance the atoms.

Change the subscripts in the chemical formulas to balance the equation.

Remove compounds from the equation to simplify it.

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Verified step by step guidance

Start by writing down the unbalanced chemical equation, ensuring all reactants and products are correctly represented with their chemical formulas.

Identify each element present in the equation and count the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation (reactants and products).

Choose one element to balance first, typically starting with the element that appears in the least number of compounds or has the highest number of atoms.

Adjust the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to balance the number of atoms for the chosen element on both sides of the equation. Remember, coefficients multiply the entire compound, affecting all atoms within.

Repeat the process for each remaining element, adjusting coefficients as necessary, until all elements are balanced. Ensure that the coefficients are the smallest possible whole numbers that balance the equation.