Re: How do you balance chemical equations (in dummy terms)?

I understand your position.  Here goes.
Sample Equation: FeCl  +  NaPO4  ---->  NaCl   +   FePO4
Step 1) Balance the oxidation numbers so that each coumpound has a net 			
		charge of zero.  FeCl2 + Na3PO4 ---->  NaCl  + Fe3(PO4)2
Fe has an oxidation number of +2 and the chlorine has an oxidation # of -1, 
that's why you need two Cl to balance the one Fe. (-1x2=-2+2=0)
Na's ox. # is +1, PO4 is a poly atomic ion that has a charge of -3.
Step 2) Count the number of atoms of each type on both sides of the yield 
sign. Fe-1: Cl-2: Na-3: PO4-1: --> Fe-3: Cl-1: Na-1: PO4-2
Step 3) Add coefficients to the coumpounds to balance the atoms on both 
sides of the equations. 3FeCl2 + 2Na3PO4 --->  6NaCl  + Fe3(PO4)2
Step 4) Check to see if the numbers of atoms on both sides of the equation 
are equal.
That's it!
Some hints: 1) balance metals first, hydrogen and oxygen last.  
			2) If polyatomic ions remain together, count them as a single 		
				entity.
			3) seperate the right and left side of the equation with a line 
				drawn down vertically from the yield sign to seperate the 		
				two sides of the equation. 
			4) Keep track of the numbers of atoms every time you change a 		
				coefficient. 
	Good Luck,
Robert L. Judge