What is checked after balancing?

• A. Determine the limiting reagent
• B. Calculate molar masses
• C. The number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides
• D. Check the charge balance

Answer: (C)

Balancing a chemical equation ensures atoms are conserved between reactants and products. After you balance, you verify that the number of atoms of every element on the left side equals the number on the right side, reflecting the law of conservation of mass. This is the direct check that confirms the equation is correctly balanced. For example, adjusting coefficients so that carbon and oxygen atoms match on both sides ensures the counts line up. The other aspects—determining which reagent is limiting, calculating molar masses, or balancing charge in ionic contexts—are separate steps or considerations. The essential check after balancing is that each element has the same number of atoms on both sides.