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===Balancing Equations===
: You may know the [[Chemical Formula|chemical formulae]] of the [[reactant]]s and [[product]]s but not know the number of each [[chemical]] needed. For that you must '''balance the equation'''.
: To '''balance and equation''' you need the same number of each type of [[atom]] on the left as you do on the right.
: _Li + _F<sub>2</sub> → _LiF
: Reactants = Products
: 1Li = 1Li
: 2F ≠ 1F
We need 2 [[Fluorine]] [[atom]]s in the [[product]]s.
: _Li + _F<sub>2</sub> → 2LiF
: Reactants = Products
: 1Li ≠ 2Li
: 2F = 2F
There are now too many Lithium atoms in the products so we need 2 in the reactants.
: 2Li + _F<sub>2</sub> → 2LiF
: Reactants = Products
: 2Li = 2Li
: 2F = 2F
This equation is balanced: 2Li + F<sub>2</sub> → 2LiF