ChemistryGeneralQuality 74 · Exceptional

Balancing Chemical Equations Step by Step

Zoe Gill Verified Teacher

@author · 2026-08-14 · v1

7 min read

Balancing conserves atoms on both sides. For

C_3H_8 + O_2 \to CO_2 + H_2O

, start with carbon: 3 on the left means 3

CO_2

. Then hydrogen: 8 means 4

H_2O

. Then count oxygen:

3\times2 + 4\times1 = 10

on the right, so 5

O_2

. Final:

C_3H_8 + 5O_2 \to 3CO_2 + 4H_2O

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Discussion

Comments support LaTeX — write $\int_0^1 x^2\,dx$ inline with $...$ .

Marcus B.

16 days ago

Bookmarked. Coming back to this before the exam.

Grace W.

16 days ago

The step-by-step is what makes this work. Most explanations skip that.

Yuki S.

16 days ago

Saved this to my study notes. Super clear and well-structured.

Dr. Tan Teacher

16 days ago

Thanks for the kind words! Happy it helped.