This chemistry question involves key chemical concepts and calculations. The detailed solution below walks through each step, from identifying the reaction type to computing the final answer.
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Balancing chemical equations ensures that the law of conservation of mass is upheld, meaning the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides of the equation. Step 1: Write the unbalanced chemical equation. Step 2: Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides. Step 3: Use coefficients (numbers placed in front of chemical formulas) to balance the atoms. Start with elements that appear in only one reactant and one product. Step 4: Balance polyatomic ions as single units if they appear unchanged on both sides. Step 5: Balance oxygen and hydrogen last, if applicable. Step 6: Verify that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides. For example, to balance the equation for the formation of water from hydrogen and oxygen: Unbalanced: H_2 + O_2 → H_2O Step 1: Reactants: 2 H, 2 O. Products: 2 H, 1 O. Step 2: To balance oxygen, place a coefficient of 2 in front of H_2O: H_2 + O_2 → 2H_2O. Step 3: Now, reactants: 2 H, 2 O. Products: 4 H, 2 O. Step 4: To balance hydrogen, place a coefficient of 2 in front of H_2: 2H_2 + O_2 → 2H_2O. Step 5: Verification: Reactants: 4 H, 2 O. Products: 4 H, 2 O. The equation is balanced. The balanced equation is: 2H_2 + O_2 → 2H_2O Got more? Send 'em 📸