Balancing Equation

Here is an equation

K+O2 ---K2O
It's a skeleton equation. It showed what the reactants and products are. But not ALL the atoms. On the left, it has one K, two O. But on the right, It has two K and only one O. Therefore we need to balance it.

A balanced chemical equation shows all atoms.

Because on the left it has two O. so we need to add up the number of O on the right hand side. Write down 2 before K2O. And we have 4 K and 2 O. balance the K. Write down 4 before K on the left hand side.

Here we have a balanced equation.     4K+O2 ---- 2K2O

Some tips for balancing equation

1. draw a chart and write all the numbers of atoms, that makes faster and easier calculation
2. assume the most complicate compounds as 1
3. always double check after balancing