Question

In the balancing chemical equations simulation on phet, were you able to use noninteger numbers (like ? or 0.43) for the coefficients in a balanced equation? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer: No, we cannot use non-integer numbers for the coefficients in a balanced equation.

Explanation: In a chemical equation, the coefficients are used to determine the number of atoms. As atom is the smallest unit and it cannot be present in fractional form.

So, to write the balanced chemical equations, the coefficients must be natural numbers which starts from 1.