For each balanced reaction, indicate the total number of molecules (te big coefficients) in the table.

There are three different ways that the equation is represented visually when it is balanced. First, the scale is at equilibrium when it is balanced. The balance turns yellow and a smiley face appears. Second, the graph shows equal amounts on both the reactant and product side of the equation. Third, within the individual molecule box, there should be the same number of each element on both the product and a reactant side of the equation.

Reaction Total Number of Molecules

Reactant Side (left) Product Side (right)

Make Ammonia  4  2

Separate Water  2  3

Combust Methane  3  3

No, the number of total molecules on the left side of a balanced equation is not equal to the number of total molecules on the right side of the equation. A molecule is the smallest number of atoms bonded together for a chemical reaction. The total number of atoms must be the same, but not molecules. The reactants and products will bond together in different ways leading to different numbers of reactants and products.

Reaction Total Number of Atoms

Reactant Side (left) Product Side (right)

Make Ammonia  1C, 4H, 4O  1 C, 4H, 4O

Separate Water  2H, 4O  2H, 4O

Combust Methane  2N, 6H  2N, 6H

Yes, in order for the equation to be correct, the total number of atoms on the left side of the balanced equation must always equal the total number of atoms on the right side of the balanced equation.

Answers to this question vary. A good answer could say start with the chemical with the smallest amount on each side of the equation and balance that. Alternatively, you could start with the largest and balance that first. You also could say that you examined the visual representation in the reactant and product box to see if there was an equal number of atoms. Sometimes, it does require trial and error to get an equal number of atoms on each side of the equation. You could also use math concepts such as greatest common factors to use the smallest number possible of each molecule.

No, you could not use a non-integer number.

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