10 Test Questions on Balancing Chemical Equations

by Todd Helmenstine
Todd Helmenstine is a science writer and illustrator who has taught physics and math at the college level. He holds bachelor's degrees in both physics and mathematics.
Updated January 05, 2019

Balancing chemical equations is a basic skill in chemistry. This collection of 10 chemistry test questions tests your ability to balance a chemical reaction. These equations will be balanced for mass. Other tests are available if you're practicing balancing equations for both mass and charge.

Question 1

Chemistry flasks with colored liquids

Steve McAlister / Getty Images

__ AgI + __ Na

S + __ NaI

Question 2

__ Ba

Question 3

__ CaCl

+ __ NaCl

Question 4

__ FeS + __ O

Question 5

__ PCl

5234

+ __ HCl

Question 6

__ As + __ NaOH → __ Na

Question 7

__ Hg(OH)

O

Question 8

__ HClO

Question 9

__ CO + __ H

O

Question 10

__ KClO

+ __ KCl

Answers

1. 2 AgI + 1 Na2S → 1 Ag2S + 2 NaI
2. 1 Ba3N2 + 6 H2O → 3 Ba(OH)2 + 2 NH3
3. 3 CaCl2 + 2 Na3PO4 → 1 Ca3(PO4)2 + 6 NaCl
4. 4 FeS + 7 O2 → 2 Fe2O3 + 4 SO2
5. 1 PCl5 + 4 H2O → 1 H3PO4 + 5 HCl
6. 2 As + 6 NaOH → 2 Na3AsO3 + 3 H2
7. 3 Hg(OH)2 + 2 H3PO4 → 1 Hg3(PO4)2 + 6 H2O
8. 12 HClO4 + 1 P4O10 → 4 H3PO4 + 6 Cl2O7
9. 8 CO + 17 H2 → 1 C8H18 + 8 H2O
10. 10 KClO3 + 3 P4 → 3 P4O10 + 10 KCl

Tips for Balancing Equations

  1.  When balancing equations, remember the number of atoms of each element needs to be the same on both sides of the equation.
  2. The coefficients (numbers in front of a species) are multiplied by every atom in that chemical.
  3. The subscripts are multiplied only by the affected atom.
  4. To start balancing, begin with less-common elements, like metal atoms or oxygen, and leave hydrogen atoms for last (they are usually the easiest to balance.
  5. Be sure to check your work! Make a tally of all the atoms of each element on each side of the equation. Are they the same? Good! If not, go back and rework the coefficients and subscripts.
  6. Although this test did not cover it, it's good practice to indicate the state of matter for each chemical species (s for solid, l for liquid, g for gas, and aq for a species in aqueous solution).