Humboldt State University ® Department of Chemistry

Richard A. Paselk

	General Chemistry	Fall 2008
	© R. Paselk 2008
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Chemical Equations

Equation Balancing by Inspection

The key here is to remember Conservation of Mass, that is there must be the same amount of stuff before and after the reaction. Since atoms are not created nor destroyed in chemical processes (mass is conserved), there must be the same nuimber of each kind of atoms on both sides of each equations. Let's give it a try.

Balance the equations below by providing the proper coefficients:

 

a. Cu_(s) + AgNO_{3 (aq)} Cu(NO₃)_{2 (aq)} + Ag_(s)

Cu_(s) + 2 AgNO_{3 (aq)} Cu(NO₃)_{2 (aq)} + 2 Ag_(s)

b. Fe_(s) + O_{2 (g)} Fe₂O_{3 (s)}

4 Fe_(s) + 3 O_{2 (g)} 2 Fe₂O_{3 (s)}

c. FeCl_{3 (s)} + H₂O_(l) HCl_(aq)+ Fe(OH)_{3 (s)}

FeCl_{3 (s)} + 3 H₂O_(l) 3 HCl_(aq)+ Fe(OH)_{3 (s)}

d. Zn(NO₃)_{2 (s)} + heat ZnO_(s) + NO_{2 (g)} + O_{2 (g)}

2 Zn(NO₃)_{2 (s)} + heat 2 ZnO_(s) + 4 NO_{2 (g)} + O_{2 (g)}

e. H₃PO_{4 (l)} + heat H₂O_(l) + P₄O_{10 (s)}

4 H₃PO_{4 (l)} + heat 6 H₂O_(l) + P₄O_{10 (s)}

 

Equation Balancing by Inspection

© R A Paselk

Last modified 23 Ocober 2008