Balancing Reactions  

Chemical Calculations will not balance the reaction for you but it will help you balance it. The first step is to correctly enter the equation. There is an example at the top of the form and if you place the cursor over the entry box, there is an additional reminder about correct entry.

When you enter the formula, be sure to correctly use capital letters and small letters. Add numbers where you normally would enter them. Enter a + sign between molecules on the left side and between molecules on the right side. It is important that you use the => combination to  separate the reactants on the left from the products on the right. The program looks for the = sign and the > sign. 

You enter numbers in front of the molecule not in the middle or anywhere else. The numbers must be integer numbers. Once you enter a number, press the OK button. If the reaction is balanced, a message box appears telling you that you have the correct number of atoms on both sides of the => sign. Look at the atoms and their numbers on the left side and the right side. If they are the same, then the reaction is really balanced.
