Discovering Infinite Number of Independent Balanced Forms of Some Typical Chemical Equations

This paper reports on a novel idea falling within the purview of chemical science and engineering. It deals with a novel procedure for the algebraic method of balancing chemical reaction equations. The basic principle and relevant procedure of the novel scheme are offered along with illustrative examples. The fact that the balanced form of a chemical equation is not always unique is illustrated by the novel procedure offered in the paper. It has been found from the present study that, for each of the chemical equations (not involving ions) with {(m + n) - s} > 1, and for each of those involving ions with {(m + n) - s} > 2, where m = total number of reactants, n = total number of products, and s = total number of different kinds of elements on each side of the chemical equation, there exists an infinite number of independent balanced forms for each of those typical chemical equations.