Chemical Equation Balancer

About the Chemical Equation Balancer

The Chemical Equation Balancer adjusts coefficients in a chemical equation to ensure the same number of each element’s atoms appears on both reactants and products sides, satisfying the law of conservation of mass. This is achieved by solving a system of linear equations derived from element counts:

• For each element: \( \sum (\text{Coefficient}_i \times \text{Atoms of Element in Compound}_i)_{\text{reactants}} = \sum (\text{Coefficient}_j \times \text{Atoms of Element in Compound}_j)_{\text{products}} \)

This tool is vital for chemistry students, educators, and professionals in stoichiometry, reaction prediction, and laboratory work.

• Features:
  • Parses chemical equations (e.g., C6H12O6 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O) to identify compounds and element counts.
  • Supports common elements (H, C, O, N, S, P, Na, Cl) with subscripts and parentheses.
  • Balances equations using Gaussian elimination to solve for integer coefficients.
  • Validates inputs: ensures valid compounds, correct syntax, and solvable equations.
  • Keypad includes elements, numbers, +, →, and parentheses for easy input.
  • Provides detailed steps with LaTeX-rendered equations, including element counts and matrix setup.
• Practical Applications: Used in stoichiometry (calculating reactant/product quantities), predicting reaction outcomes, designing experiments, and verifying reaction mechanisms.
• How to Use:
  • Enter an unbalanced equation (e.g., H2 + O2 -> H2O), using + to separate compounds and -> for the reaction arrow.
  • Use the keypad to insert elements (H, C, O, etc.), numbers, +, →, or parentheses.
  • Click "Balance" to compute coefficients with detailed steps.
  • Use "Copy" to copy the result, "Clear" to reset, or "⌫" to delete the last character.
  • Share or embed the calculator using the action buttons.
• Helpful Tips:
  • Write elements with correct capitalization (e.g., "Na", not "na").
  • Use numbers for subscripts (e.g., H2O) and parentheses for groups (e.g., (NH4)2).
  • Ensure the equation has a single -> separator and valid compounds on both sides.
  • For complex equations, ensure all elements are supported (see below).
  • Some equations may have multiple solutions; the calculator provides the simplest integer coefficients.
• Supported Elements:
  • H (Hydrogen), C (Carbon), O (Oxygen), N (Nitrogen), S (Sulfur), P (Phosphorus), Na (Sodium), Cl (Chlorine)
  • Contact us to request additional elements.
• Examples:
  • Example 1: Water Formation:
    • Input: H2 + O2 -> H2O
    • Steps:
      • Parse: Reactants = H₂, O₂; Products = H₂O
      • Elements: H, O
      • H balance: \( 2a = 2c \)
      • O balance: \( 2b = c \)
      • Matrix: Solve for coefficients \( a \text{H}_2 + b \text{O}_2 \rightarrow c \text{H}_2\text{O} \)
      • Solution: \( a = 2, b = 1, c = 2 \)
      • Balanced: \( 2\text{H}_2 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \)
    • Result: \( 2\text{H}_2 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \)
  • Example 2: Glucose Combustion:
    • Input: C6H12O6 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
    • Steps:
      • Parse: Reactants = C₆H₁₂O₆, O₂; Products = CO₂, H₂O
      • Elements: C, H, O
      • C balance: \( 6a = c \)
      • H balance: \( 12a = 2d \)
      • O balance: \( 6a + 2b = 2c + d \)
      • Solution: \( a = 1, b = 6, c = 6, d = 6 \)
      • Balanced: \( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \)
    • Result: \( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \)
  • Example 3: Ammonia Synthesis:
    • Input: N2 + H2 -> NH3
    • Steps:
      • Parse: Reactants = N₂, H₂; Products = NH₃
      • Elements: N, H
      • N balance: \( 2a = c \)
      • H balance: \( 2b = 3c \)
      • Solution: \( a = 1, b = 3, c = 2 \)
      • Balanced: \( \text{N}_2 + 3\text{H}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{NH}_3 \)
    • Result: \( \text{N}_2 + 3\text{H}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{NH}_3 \)

Balance chemical equations effortlessly with this Chemical Equation Balancer. Share or embed it for your chemistry needs!