Balancing a chemical equation involves ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both the reactant and product sides of the equation. This is important because it follows the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Here are the steps involved in balancing a chemical equation:1. Write down the unbalanced chemical equation: Identify the reactants and products in the reaction and write their chemical formulas.2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation: This will help you determine which elements need to be balanced.3. Balance the elements one at a time: Start with the most complex molecule or the element that appears in the greatest number of compounds. Adjust the coefficients the numbers in front of the chemical formulas to make the number of atoms of each element equal on both sides of the equation. Remember that you can only change the coefficients, not the subscripts in the chemical formulas.4. Check your work: Count the atoms of each element again to ensure that they are equal on both sides of the equation. If necessary, adjust the coefficients and repeat the process until the equation is balanced.5. Simplify the coefficients if possible: If all the coefficients can be divided by a common factor, do so to simplify the equation.Example:Let's balance the chemical equation for the combustion of propane C3H8 in oxygen O2 to produce carbon dioxide CO2 and water H2O .Unbalanced equation: C3H8 + O2 CO2 + H2O1. Count the atoms on both sides:Reactants: 3 C, 8 H, and 2 OProducts: 1 C, 2 H, and 3 O2. Balance the carbon atoms by adjusting the coefficient of CO2:C3H8 + O2 3CO2 + H2OReactants: 3 C, 8 H, and 2 OProducts: 3 C, 2 H, and 6 O3. Balance the hydrogen atoms by adjusting the coefficient of H2O:C3H8 + O2 3CO2 + 4H2OReactants: 3 C, 8 H, and 2 OProducts: 3 C, 8 H, and 10 O4. Balance the oxygen atoms by adjusting the coefficient of O2:C3H8 + 5O2 3CO2 + 4H2OReactants: 3 C, 8 H, and 10 OProducts: 3 C, 8 H, and 10 O5. Check your work and simplify if necessary:The equation is balanced, and the coefficients cannot be simplified further.Balanced equation: C3H8 + 5O2 3CO2 + 4H2O