Zn + O2 ---› ZnO (Unbalanced)
2Zn + O2 ---› 2ZnO (Balanced)
The chemical equation needs to be balanced so that it follows the law of conservation of mass.
★The law of conservation of mass states that mass in an isolated system is neither created nor destroyed by chemical reactions or physical transformations.★
"A balanced chemical equation occurs when the number of the different atoms of elements in the reactants side is equal to that of the products side."