2. Step One NaOH + H2 SO4-> Na2SO4+ H2O Have an unbalanced equation.
3. Step Two NaOH + H2 SO4-> Na2SO4+ H2O It helps to draw boxes around each separate chemical formula so nothing gets mixed up. However, this step is not necessary.
4. Step Three NaOH + H2 SO4-> Na2SO4+ H2O Next you should make what is called an ‘element inventory’. List all the elements, the number of atoms on the left side of the equation, as well as the number of atoms on the right side.
5. Step Four 2NaOH + H2 SO4-> Na2SO4+ H2O In this example, you start by putting a 2 in front of ‘NaOH’. This changes ‘Na’ to 2, ‘O’ to 6, ‘H’ to 4, and ‘S’ stays at 1.
6. Step Five 2NaOH + H2 SO4-> Na2SO4+2H2O Now to balance the equation, place a 2 in front of ‘H2O’. This makes the right side of the equation the same as the left side.
