In this video we'll balance the equation Si + O2 = SiO2 and provide the correct coefficients for each compound.

To balance Si + O2 = SiO2 you'll need to be sure to count all of atoms on each side of the chemical equation.

Once you know how many of each type of atom you can only change the coefficients (the numbers in front of atoms or compounds) to balance the equation for Silicon + Oxygen gas.

Important tips for balancing chemical equations:

Only change the numbers in front of compounds (the coefficients).
Never change the numbers after atoms (the subscripts).
The number of each atom on both sides of the equation must be the same for the equation to be balanced.

For a complete tutorial on balancing all types of chemical equations, watch my video:

Balancing Equations in 5 Easy Steps: https://youtu.be/zmdxMlb88Fs

More Practice Balancing: https://youtu.be/Qci7hiBy7EQ

Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).