Strategy for Balancing Chemical Reactions

Left Side (Reactants):

• Nitrogen (N): 1 (from NH₃)
• Hydrogen (H): 3 (from NH₃)
• Oxygen (O): 2 (from O₂)

Right Side (Products):

• Nitrogen (N): 2 (from N₂)
• Hydrogen (H): 2 (from H₂O)
• Oxygen (O): 1 (from H₂O)

• Nitrogen: 1 (left) vs. 2 (right)
• Hydrogen: 3 (left) vs. 2 (right)
• Oxygen: 2 (left) vs. 1 (right)

a) Balance Nitrogen (N):

There are 2 nitrogen atoms on the right (N₂), so we need 2 nitrogen atoms on the left. Adjust NH₃ to 2NH₃:

Now:

• Nitrogen: 2 (left) vs. 2 (right) → Balanced.

b) Balance Hydrogen (H):

There are 6 hydrogen atoms on the left (2NH₃ → 2 × 3 = 6). Adjust H₂O to 3H₂O to balance hydrogen:

Now:

• Hydrogen: 6 (left) vs. 6 (right) → Balanced.

c) Balance Oxygen (O):

There are 2 oxygen atoms on the left (O₂). There are 3 oxygen atoms on the right (3H₂O → 3 × 1 = 3). Adjust O₂ to \( \frac{3}{2} \)O₂ to balance oxygen:

Now:

• Oxygen: 3 (left) vs. 3 (right) → Balanced.

Left Side:

• Nitrogen: 4 (from 4NH₃)
• Hydrogen: 12 (from 4NH₃)
• Oxygen: 6 (from 3O₂)

Right Side:

• Nitrogen: 4 (from 2N₂)
• Hydrogen: 12 (from 6H₂O)
• Oxygen: 6 (from 6H₂O)

The equation is now balanced!