How to Balance a chemical equation

Steps to Balance a chemical equation:

1.Write down the unbalanced chemical equation. 

2.Next note down the number of elements present on each side   of  the equation

3.Count the number of molecules present on each side of the equation.

4.Check weather there are same number of molecules of all elements are present on the reactants side as well as the products side

5. start with the element that has the largest number of atoms in a single compound

6. Add coefficients to the element or ion that needs to be increased .

7. Start by balancing one element at a time. Finally check if all the elements are balanced.

First write down the unbalanced chemical equation:

H2+ O2 ---------->H2O   

Count the number of atoms on both side of the equation 

Left hand side  (L.H.S)     Right hand side(R.H.S)

      H = 2                                           H =2

      O =  2                                          O  =1

Let us  start with Hydrogen (H) ,since there is 2 Hydrogen on both the sides of the equation  Hydrogen is balanced.

Next let us look at Oxygen (O) we have 2 on L.H.S and 1 on R.H.S ,so multiply Oxygen (O) by 2 on R.H.S

H2+ O2 ---------->2H2O 


Now the Oxygen is balanced both the sides , look at Hydrogen (H) the value of H has changed we have 2 H on L.H.S and 4 H on R.H.S , so we have to multiply H by 2 on L.H.S 


2H2+ O2 ---------->2H2O 
Now the equation is balanced