Balancing Chemical Equations Using Matrix Algebra

Author(s): 
John Jungck, Jennifer Spangenberg

From the Biological ESTEEM collection

ESTEEM Category

Biochemistry

Description

This Excel workbook introduces using matrix algebra to balance chemical reactions. The user can follow several instructional buttons and examples to learn how to set up the required matrices and how to interpret the results. The workbook allows the user to set up their own matrices for chemical reactions involving 2-7 elements. Several sample equations are available for the user to select. See the tutorial for a more detailed description of the matrix algebra. Note that this file requires that "macros" are enabled in Microsoft Excel.

Go to the Balancing Chemical Equations module in a new window

Balancing Chemical Equations Using Matrix Algebra

Author(s): 
John Jungck, Jennifer Spangenberg

From the Biological ESTEEM collection

ESTEEM Category

Biochemistry

Description

This Excel workbook introduces using matrix algebra to balance chemical reactions. The user can follow several instructional buttons and examples to learn how to set up the required matrices and how to interpret the results. The workbook allows the user to set up their own matrices for chemical reactions involving 2-7 elements. Several sample equations are available for the user to select. See the tutorial for a more detailed description of the matrix algebra. Note that this file requires that "macros" are enabled in Microsoft Excel.

Go to the Balancing Chemical Equations module in a new window

Balancing Chemical Equations Using Matrix Algebra - References

Author(s): 
John Jungck, Jennifer Spangenberg

Primary Reference

Bottomley J. 1878. Method of indeterminate coefficients (algebraic method). J Chem News. 37:110.

Krishamurthy E V. 1978. General matrix methods for chemical equations. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology. 9:323-328.

Brown J P, Brown L P, Redd R M. 1972. Matrix algebra method. Journal of Chemical Education. 49: 754.

Popular Text Citations

Grimaldi RP. 1980. Balancing Chemical Reactions with Methods and Computer Assistance. Module 339. UMAP (Modules in Undergraduate Mathematics and Its Applications).

Current Research Articles

Herndon W C. 1997. On Balancing Chemical Equations: Past and Present. Journal of Chemical Education. 74: 1359-1362.