In a balanced chemical equation, both sides of the equation have the same number of atoms of each element. This is because of the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. Therefore, the number of atoms of each element must be the same before and after a chemical reaction, which is represented by the chemical equation.

Here are the steps to balance a chemical equation:

1. Write down the unbalanced equation.
2. Count the atoms of each element in the reactants and the products.
3. Use coefficients to balance the equation. Coefficients are small whole numbers that are placed in front of the formulas in a chemical equation in order to balance it.
4. Double-check to make sure that the equation is balanced. Count the atoms of each element in the reactants and the products again to ensure they are the same.

For example, let's balance the equation for the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen to produce water:

Unbalanced equation: H2 + O2 - H2O

Counting atoms gives:
Left side: 2 H, 2 O
Right side: 2 H, 1 O

To balance the oxygen atoms, we can put a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O:

H2 + O2 - 2H2O

Now counting atoms gives:
Left side: 2 H, 2 O
Right side: 4 H, 2 O

Finally, to balance the hydrogen atoms, we can put a coefficient of 2 in front of H2:

2H2 + O2 - 2H2O

Now the equation is balanced, with 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on each side.

Question

In a balanced chemical equation, both sides of the equation have the same number of atoms of each element. This is because of the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. Therefore, the number of atoms of each element must be the same before and after a chemical reaction, which is represented by the chemical equation.

Here are the steps to balance a chemical equation:

1. Write down the unbalanced equation. 
2. Count the atoms of each element in the reactants and the products.
3. Use coefficients to balance the equation. Coefficients are small whole numbers that are placed in front of the formulas in a chemical equation in order to balance it.
4. Double-check to make sure that the equation is balanced. Count the atoms of each element in the reactants and the products again to ensure they are the same.

For example, let's balance the equation for the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen to produce water:

Unbalanced equation: H2 + O2 -> H2O

Counting atoms gives: 
Left side: 2 H, 2 O
Right side: 2 H, 1 O

To balance the oxygen atoms, we can put a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O:

H2 + O2 -> 2H2O

Now counting atoms gives: 
Left side: 2 H, 2 O
Right side: 4 H, 2 O

Finally, to balance the hydrogen atoms, we can put a coefficient of 2 in front of H2:

2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O

Now the equation is balanced, with 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on each side.

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