■■ 8th Grade Physical Science – Balancing
Chemical Equations Worksheet
North Carolina Standard: 8.P.1.4 – Understand that chemical reactions demonstrate the conservation
of mass.
Directions: Balance each chemical equation below by adding coefficients in front of each compound or
element. Remember: The number of each type of atom must be the same on both sides of the
equation. Show your work and explain how you know the equation is balanced.
Problem 1:
Unbalanced Equation:
Na + Cl■ → NaCl
Balanced Equation: _________________________________
Explain how you know it’s balanced:
Problem 2:
Unbalanced Equation:
Al + O■ → Al■O■
Balanced Equation: _________________________________
Explain how you know it’s balanced:
■ Challenge Problem (Optional):
Unbalanced Equation:
H■ + N■ → NH■
Balanced Equation: _________________________________
Explain how you know it’s balanced:
Remember: The total number of atoms for each element must be the same on both sides of the
equation!