Balanced chemical equations ensure that the number of atoms of each element is conserved throughout a chemical reaction. This is achieved by adjusting the stoichiometric coefficients, which represent the number of molecules or atoms of each reactant and product involved in the reaction. By balancing equations, chemists can accurately predict the amounts of reactants and products needed or produced in a given reaction. This is crucial for understanding the quantitative relationships between reactants and products, enabling precise experimental design and industrial applications.
