Unbalanced Equation:

Al(OH)₃ + H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂O

Balancing Steps:

1. Aluminum (Al): There are 2 Al atoms on the product side and 1 on the reactant side. Place a coefficient of 2 in front of Al(OH)₃:

2 Al(OH)₃ + H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂O

2. Sulfate (SO₄): There are 3 SO₄ groups on the product side and 1 on the reactant side. Place a coefficient of 3 in front of H₂SO₄:

2 Al(OH)₃ + 3 H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂O

3. Hydrogen (H): There are 6 H atoms on the reactant side (from 2 Al(OH)₃ and 3 H₂SO₄) and 2 on the product side. Place a coefficient of 6 in front of H₂O:

2 Al(OH)₃ + 3 H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 6 H₂O

4. Oxygen (O): Now, the oxygen atoms are also balanced: 12 on each side.

Balanced Equation:

2 Al(OH)₃ + 3 H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 6 H₂O

Sum of Coefficients:

2 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 12

Therefore, the sum of the balancing coefficients is 12.