Chemistry Forum

OK. I have had a lot of problems with this thing. I dont seem to be able to write, much less balance, a chemical equation. If someone could give me a brief synopsis on how to write balanced equations, it would be greatly appreciate it. I have tried looking it up on the internet, but it is no use. If you can incorporate METATHESIS and REDOX reactions into your explanations that would be great. Thank you.

(e.g. Na + H₂O ----> NaOH + H) (Metathesis or Redox reaction?)

Your reaction is a redox reaction:
Na + H₂O --> NaOH + 1/2H₂
Redox reaction means in this reaction there is a change about oxidation number.
Methatesis reaction means in this reaction, the reactants change their part to each other:
BaCl₂ + H₂SO₄ --> BaSO₄ + 2HCl
In this reaction, BaCl₂ move its Cl and H₂SO₄ move its SO₄ to each other, and there aren't any changes about oxidation number

Ok. Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it. But I have the actual definitions for them. I need to know how to balance an equation. I am really having trouble with this, I am thinking about dropping the class. I Just do not understand it! Lol.