Question

What does it mean for an equation to be balanced and why must you keep an equation in balance?

Answer 1

You need the same atoms coming out as went in. There are no nuclear reactions in a chemical reaction :)

NOT H2 + O2 --> H2O, NO way
2 hydrogen atoms went in, 2 came out
BUT
2 oxygen atoms went in, but ONLY ONE came out
so we need
2 H2 + O2 --> 2 H2O
4 H atoms left, 4 H atoms right
2 O atoms left, 2 O atoms right

Answer 2

this is a math equation i am talking about.

Answer 3

Same thing, it has to be and remain the same on both sides

If you add 5 on the left, you must add 5 on the right
If you multiply left by two, you must multiply right by two

Answer 4

hey damon u wanna go out

Answer 5

ashlyn, not until you get linear relations right, sorry. By the way I graduated MIT in 1959.