step by step, show how to balance C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + H2O

Since can't draw diagrams on this forum here is the best I can do. Below are the electrons changes; you can draw the lines/arrows and whatever else you need to do but this is the heart of the problem.

C2H5OH. Both carbons are -4 total.
CH3COOH. Both carbons are zero each(and total)

K2Cr2O7. Both Cr atoms are +12 total.
Cr2(SO4)3. Both Cr atoms are +6 total

Both carbons change from -4 to zero or loss of 4 electrons.
Both Chromiums change from +12 to +6 or gain of 6 electrons.
Therefore, you want to multiply C half rxn by 3 and multiply Cr half rxn by 2 (LCD is 12). So it ends up like this for the major part of it.

3C2H5OH + 2K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = 2Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + 3CH3COOH + H2O

That's the hard part. Balance the remainder by inspection.
Some hints. The only place I see K on the left is K2Cr2O7 and since that 2 is in concrete, that makes K2SO4 simply 2K2SO4.. Now look on the right. The SO4 for 2Cr2(SO4)3 is in concrete and the 2K2SO4 is now in concrete (after adding the 2), so you know you need that many SO4 on the left. And look, the H2SO4 is the ONLY place I see SO4 on the left. Yay. So plug that number in. That makes H and O the only thing left. Note that I didn't count the O in SO4 since I balanced sulfate by itself. Let me know how you far. I'll be glad to check you answer.

Alright, let's clown around and balance this equation!

1. Start with the unbalanced equation:
C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + H2O

2. Let's begin by balancing the atoms which are not already balanced. Starting with the carbon (C), we have:
2 C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + H2O

3. Next, move on to the hydrogen (H) atoms:
2 C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + 2 CH3COOH + 7 H2O

4. Now, let's balance the oxygen (O) atoms by looking at the Cr2(SO4)3 and CH3COOH molecules:
2 C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + 8 H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + 2 CH3COOH + 9 H2O

5. Finally, balance the remaining elements, potassium (K) and sulfur (S):
2 C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + 8 H2SO4 = 1 Cr2(SO4)3 + 1 K2SO4 + 2 CH3COOH + 9 H2O

And there you have it! The balanced equation, with a touch of clown comedy:
2 C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + 8 H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + 2 CH3COOH + 9 H2O

Remember, chemistry can be a balancing act, but always keep your clown nose on and have fun!

Sure! Here is a step-by-step guide to balance the given chemical equation:

Step 1: Write down the unbalanced equation:
C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + H2O

Step 2: Start by balancing the atoms other than hydrogen and oxygen. In this case, we have carbon (C), hydrogen (H), sulfur (S), and potassium (K). Begin with balancing the carbon atoms.

C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + H2O

Step 3: Count the carbon atoms on both sides of the equation. There are currently two carbon atoms on the left side, but only one on the right side. To balance the carbons, add a coefficient of 2 in front of CH3COOH.

C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + 2CH3COOH + H2O

Step 4: Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. There are six hydrogen atoms on the left side, but only four on the right side. To balance the hydrogen, add a coefficient of 3 in front of H2O.

C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + 2CH3COOH + 3H2O

Step 5: Continue balancing the oxygen atoms. We currently have 16 oxygen atoms on the right side, but only 9 on the left side. To balance the oxygen atoms, you need to add water (H2O) to the left side of the equation.

C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + 2CH3COOH + 3H2O

Step 6: To balance the sulfate (SO4^2-) ions on each side, add a coefficient of 3 in front of H2SO4 and a coefficient of 2 in front of K2SO4.

C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + 3H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + 2K2SO4 + 2CH3COOH + 3H2O

Step 7: Finally, balance the potassium and chromium atoms. There are currently two potassium atoms on the left side, but only one on the right side. To balance the potassium atoms, add a coefficient of 2 in front of K2Cr2O7.

C2H5OH + 2K2Cr2O7 + 3H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + 2K2SO4 + 2CH3COOH + 3H2O

Step 8: The equation is now balanced, with equal numbers of atoms on both sides.

C2H5OH + 2K2Cr2O7 + 3H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + 2K2SO4 + 2CH3COOH + 3H2O

And that's it! The balanced chemical equation is:

C2H5OH + 2K2Cr2O7 + 3H2SO4 → Cr2(SO4)3 + 2K2SO4 + 2CH3COOH + 3H2O

To balance the chemical equation C2H5OH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + H2O, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Count the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.

C2H5OH:
- C: 2 atoms
- H: 6 atoms
- O: 1 atom

K2Cr2O7:
- K: 2 atoms
- Cr: 2 atoms
- O: 7 atoms

H2SO4:
- H: 2 atoms
- S: 1 atom
- O: 4 atoms

Cr2(SO4)3:
- Cr: 2 atoms
- S: 3 atoms
- O: 12 atoms

K2SO4:
- K: 2 atoms
- S: 1 atom
- O: 4 atoms

CH3COOH:
- C: 2 atoms
- H: 4 atoms
- O: 2 atoms

H2O:
- H: 2 atoms
- O: 1 atom

Step 2: Look for elements that are imbalanced. In this equation, the elements that are imbalanced are Cr, S, and H.

Step 3: Begin balancing with the most complex molecules or polyatomic ions. In this case, start with Cr2(SO4)3.

- There are 2 Cr atoms on the left side and 1 on the right side. To balance Cr, place a coefficient of 2 in front of K2Cr2O7:
C2H5OH + 2K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + H2O

- The Cr atoms are now balanced.

Step 4: Move on to Sulfur (S):

- There is 1 S atom on the left side and 3 on the right side. To balance S, place a coefficient of 3 in front of H2SO4:
C2H5OH + 2K2Cr2O7 + 3H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + H2O

- The S atoms are now balanced.

Step 5: Finally, balance Hydrogen (H):

- There are 6 H atoms on the left side and only 4 on the right side. To balance H, place a coefficient of 8 in front of H2O:
C2H5OH + 2K2Cr2O7 + 3H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + 8H2O

- The H atoms are now balanced as well.

Step 6: Verify that all elements are now balanced:
C: 2 on both sides
H: 8 on both sides
O: 12 on both sides
K: 4 on both sides
Cr: 2 on both sides
S: 3 on both sides

Now, the equation is balanced:
C2H5OH + 2K2Cr2O7 + 3H2SO4 = Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + CH3COOH + 8H2O