Balancing equations worksheet

This GCSE worksheet gives students practice balancing chemical equations for simple chemical reactions. Students add the missing number of atoms of each element to the reactants or the products to create balanced symbol equations in which one side of the equation matches the other. The equations progress in difficulty through the 10 questions, ranging from the chemical formula for carbon dioxide, through the formula for sodium chloride, to the symbol equation for the formation of sodium carbonate and water from sodium hydroxide and carbon dioxide.

The worksheet would be suitable for GCSE chemistry students and also for higher tier KS3. Give it as a starter or homework activity.

The answers are included. 

Two example questions and answers from this GCSE chemistry balancing equations worksheet:

Questions:

8) NaOH + H₂SO₄ ⟶ Na₂SO₄ + H₂O

9) Na₂CO₃ + HCl ⟶ NaCl + H₂O + CO₂

Answers:

8) 2NaOH + H₂SO₄ ⟶ Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O

9) Na₂CO₃ + 2HCl ⟶ 2NaCl + H₂O + CO₂