There are a variety of ways to balance chemical reactions so long as you follow two simple rules: (1) Make sure you have the same number of atoms of each atom type on each side, and (2) reduce all of your coefficients to the simplest whole number.Personally, I have grown fond of using the Algebraic method of balancing, but some students definitely need to see things visually using Legos, marbles, or this Smart Notebook file and its infinite cloners. If you have visual students, using these man