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

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with General Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between lithium (Li) and chlorine gas (Cl₂) to form lithium chloride (LiCl)?

Li(s) + Cl₂(g) → LiCl₂(s)

2 Li(s) + Cl₂(g) → 2 LiCl(s)

Li(s) + Cl₂(g) → 2 LiCl(s)

2 Li(s) + 2 Cl₂(g) → 2 LiCl₂(s)

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction. Here, lithium (Li) and chlorine gas (Cl₂) are the reactants, and lithium chloride (LiCl) is the product.

Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical symbols: Li(s) + Cl₂(g) → LiCl(s).

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Initially, there is 1 Li atom and 2 Cl atoms on the reactant side, and 1 Li atom and 1 Cl atom on the product side.

Balance the equation by adjusting coefficients to ensure the same number of each type of atom on both sides. To balance the chlorine atoms, place a coefficient of 2 in front of LiCl: Li(s) + Cl₂(g) → 2 LiCl(s).

Finally, balance the lithium atoms by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of Li on the reactant side: 2 Li(s) + Cl₂(g) → 2 LiCl(s). Now, the equation is balanced with 2 Li atoms and 2 Cl atoms on both sides.