A balanced chemical equation has an equal number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides. Here are some tips to help you balance chemical equations:

1. Write the correct chemical formula for each reactant and product.

2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides of the equation.

3. Determine which element is not balanced and add coefficients to balance that element.

4. Repeat this process for all the elements until the equation is balanced.

5. Always check to make sure the equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

NOTE: when balancing equations, only coefficients should be added to the front of each compound. The subscripts should never be changed!!! 

It is always easiest to balance hydrogen and oxygen last, and start with carbon is present. In this example we will start with chlorine since silicon already has the same number of moles in the reactants and products.