🎓 Chemistry • Chemical Equations
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Chemical Equation Balancer
Balances chemical reaction equations, finding stoichiometric coefficients that satisfy conservation of mass.
Chemical Reaction Equation Balancer
Enter chemical formulas separated by "+" and "->" or "⟶" (e.g. Fe + O2 -> Fe2O3).
Standard & Complex Reaction Presets:
Conservation of Mass Equilibrium Scale
Balanced Chemical Equation (Hydrocarbon Combustion)
C₃H₈ + 5 O₂ ⟶ 3 CO₂ + 4 H₂O
| Element Symbol | Reactant Side Atoms | Product Side Atoms | Balance Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 3 | 3 | ✓Balanced (3 = 3) |
| H | 8 | 8 | ✓Balanced (8 = 8) |
| O | 10 | 10 | ✓Balanced (10 = 10) |
Law of Conservation of Matter (Lavoisier Principle)
In any closed chemical reaction, matter cannot be created or destroyed. The stoichiometric coefficients represent the exact mole ratios required for complete, stoichiometric reaction with zero excess atoms unaccounted for.
What is a Balanced Chemical Equation?
A balanced equation has equal numbers of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides, satisfying the Law of Conservation of Mass.
Formula & Step-by-Step Calculation
Atoms of Element X (Reactants) = Atoms of Element X (Products)
Stoichiometric coefficients balance elemental mass.
Worked Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1
Balance combustion of propane: C3H8 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
Solution: C₃H₈ + 5 O₂ ⟶ 3 CO₂ + 4 H₂O
• 3 Carbons: 3 CO2; 8 Hydrogens: 4 H2O; Oxygens: (3×2) + (4×1) = 10 ⟹ 5 O2
Common Real-World & Academic Use Cases
- ✓ Stoichiometric mass calculations
- ✓ Industrial chemical reactor feed ratio control
- ✓ Chemistry homework problem solving
How to Use the Chemical Equation Balancer
1
Enter Reaction
Type reactants and products separated by "->" (e.g. Fe + O2 -> Fe2O3).
2
Click or Select Preset
View the balanced equation with integer coefficients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why can coefficients be changed but not subscripts?
Changing subscripts changes the chemical identity of the substance; coefficients only change the amount of molecules.