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Balancing Chemical Equations Worksheet

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Balancing Chemical Equations Worksheet

A chemical reaction rearranges atoms; it does not create or destroy them. Balance each equation by changing only the whole-number coefficients in front of formulas. Never change a formula’s subscripts. Use the smallest whole-number coefficients, and write 1 when an equation is already balanced.

Atom-count checkpoint

Before solving, count how many atoms of each element are in the formulas on both sides. A coefficient multiplies every atom in the formula that follows it.

1.In 3H₂O, how many hydrogen atoms and how many oxygen atoms are there altogether?

2.For the unbalanced equation H₂ + O₂ → H₂O, which element is not yet present in equal numbers on both sides?

Hydrogen only
Oxygen only
Both hydrogen and oxygen
Neither element

3.Balance the equation: ___ H₂ + ___ O₂ → ___ H₂O. Write all three coefficients, including any 1.

Reaction repair workshop

Each reaction below is a different atom-count puzzle. Check every element after choosing coefficients.

4.A strip of magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. Balance: ___ Mg + ___ O₂ → ___ MgO.

5.Nitrogen and hydrogen form ammonia. Balance: ___ N₂ + ___ H₂ → ___ NH₃.

6.Aluminium reacts with chlorine to form aluminium chloride. Balance: ___ Al + ___ Cl₂ → ___ AlCl₃.

7.Iron displaces copper from copper sulfate. Balance: ___ Fe + ___ CuSO₄ → ___ FeSO₄ + ___ Cu.

8.A fuel, propane (C₃H₈), burns in oxygen. Balance: ___ C₃H₈ + ___ O₂ → ___ CO₂ + ___ H₂O.

9.Calcium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid. Balance: ___ Ca(OH)₂ + ___ HCl → ___ CaCl₂ + ___ H₂O.

Check, explain and stretch

Show that your coefficients preserve each type of atom. A balanced equation must have the same count of every element on both sides.

10.Riley says the equation 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O is balanced because there are four hydrogen atoms on each side. How many oxygen atoms are on each side, and what does that tell you?

11.True or false: To balance an equation, it is acceptable to change H₂O into H₂O₂ if that makes the atom counts match. Explain your choice briefly.

12.Challenge: Balance the combustion of butane: ___ C₄H₁₀ + ___ O₂ → ___ CO₂ + ___ H₂O. Then state the total number of oxygen atoms on each side.

13.Explain in one or two sentences why chemical equations must be balanced. Use the idea of atoms in your explanation.

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Year 8

Balancing Chemical Equations Worksheet

Balancing Chemical Equations Worksheet

Atom-count checkpoint

Reaction repair workshop

Check, explain and stretch

3 printable pages

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

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