Kiley wants to balance the equation H2 + N2 → NH3. Which would be her first step in balancing an equation?

First, make a chart to count how many atoms of each element are on the reactant and product sides. For H₂ + N₂ → NH₃, this shows 2 hydrogen and 2 nitrogen atoms among the reactants, compared with 3 hydrogen and 1 nitrogen atom in the product. Then coefficients can be adjusted; subscripts should not be changed because that would change the substances.

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