Chemical Equation Balancer
Automatically balance chemical equations using atom conservation. Supports combustion, synthesis, decomposition, and replacement reactions.
Use + to separate compounds, -> or = for the arrow. Supports parentheses: Ca(OH)2, Al2(SO4)3
🔗 Related Calculators
📝 Reaction Types
Combustion:
CₓHᵧ + (x+y/4)O₂ → xCO₂ + (y/2)H₂O
CₓHᵧ + (x+y/4)O₂ → xCO₂ + (y/2)H₂O
Synthesis:
A + B → AB
A + B → AB
Decomposition:
AB → A + B
AB → A + B
Single Replacement:
A + BC → AC + B
A + BC → AC + B
Double Replacement:
AB + CD → AD + CB
AB + CD → AD + CB
❓ FAQ
How does the chemical equation balancer work?▼
Our balancer uses matrix algebra based on the Law of Conservation of Mass. It sets up a system of linear equations where each element must have the same total atoms on both sides, then solves using Gaussian elimination to find the smallest integer coefficients.
What types of reactions can be balanced?▼
Our balancer handles: combustion (CxHy + O2), synthesis, decomposition, single/double replacement, and neutralization reactions. It supports parentheses in formulas like Ca(OH)2, Al2(SO4)3, and works with any number of reactants and products.
How do you balance combustion reactions manually?▼
For CxHyOz + O2 → CO2 + H2O: 1) CxHy has C=x, put x before CO2. 2) H=y, put y/2 before H2O. 3) Count O atoms on right, subtract z from fuel, divide by 2 for O2: O2 = (2x + y/2 - z)/2. Clear fractions by multiplying by 2.
What are the rules for balancing by inspection?▼
1) Balance elements that appear in only one compound on each side first, 2) Balance metals before non-metals, 3) Balance polyatomic ions as a unit when possible, 4) Balance O and H last, 5) Check all elements balance, 6) Simplify to smallest integers.