Select The Correct Answer From Each Drop-down Menu.A Reaction Proceeds With 2.72 Moles Of Magnesium Chlorate And 3.14 Moles Of Sodium Hydroxide. This Is The Equation Of The Reaction:$Mg(ClO_3)_2 + 2 NaOH \rightarrow Mg(OH)_2 + 2
Understanding the Problem
In this problem, we are given a chemical reaction involving magnesium chlorate and sodium hydroxide. The equation of the reaction is provided, but we need to determine the correct coefficients for the reactants and products. To do this, we will use the concept of balancing chemical equations.
What is a Balanced Chemical Equation?
A balanced chemical equation is a chemical equation in which the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. This is a fundamental principle in chemistry, as it ensures that the law of conservation of mass is obeyed.
The Law of Conservation of Mass
The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. This means that the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.
Balancing the Equation
To balance the equation, we need to determine the correct coefficients for the reactants and products. We can start by looking at the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Step 1: Count the Number of Atoms
Let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
| Element | Reactant Side | Product Side |
|---|---|---|
| Mg | 1 | 1 |
| Cl | 2 | 0 |
| O | 6 | 0 |
| Na | 2 | 0 |
| H | 2 | 4 |
| O | 2 | 2 |
Step 2: Identify the Imbalances
From the table above, we can see that there are imbalances in the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Specifically, there are 2 extra oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 2 extra hydrogen atoms on the product side.
Step 3: Add Coefficients
To balance the equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products. We can start by adding a coefficient of 2 to the magnesium chlorate (Mg(ClO3)2) to balance the oxygen atoms.
Mg(ClO3)2 + 2 NaOH → Mg(OH)2 + 2 NaClO3
Step 4: Check the Imbalances
After adding the coefficient of 2 to the magnesium chlorate, we can see that the number of oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation is now balanced.
| Element | Reactant Side | Product Side |
|---|---|---|
| Mg | 2 | 1 |
| Cl | 4 | 2 |
| O | 12 | 6 |
| Na | 2 | 2 |
| H | 2 | 4 |
| O | 2 | 2 |
However, we still have an imbalance in the number of sodium atoms on both sides of the equation.
Step 5: Add a Coefficient to the Sodium Hydroxide
To balance the equation, we need to add a coefficient of 2 to the sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
Mg(ClO3)2 + 4 NaOH → Mg(OH)2 + 4 NaClO3
Step 6: Check the Imbalances
After adding the coefficient of 2 to the sodium hydroxide, we can see that the number of sodium atoms on both sides of the equation is now balanced.
| Element | Reactant Side | Product Side |
|---|---|---|
| Mg | 2 | 1 |
| Cl | 4 | 4 |
| O | 12 | 12 |
| Na | 4 | 4 |
| H | 4 | 4 |
| O | 4 | 4 |
The Balanced Equation
The balanced equation is:
Mg(ClO3)2 + 4 NaOH → Mg(OH)2 + 4 NaClO3
Conclusion
In this problem, we used the concept of balancing chemical equations to determine the correct coefficients for the reactants and products. We started by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation, identified the imbalances, and added coefficients to balance the equation. The final balanced equation is Mg(ClO3)2 + 4 NaOH → Mg(OH)2 + 4 NaClO3.
Key Takeaways
- A balanced chemical equation is a chemical equation in which the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.
- The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
- To balance a chemical equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to balance the number of atoms of each element.
- The balanced equation is Mg(ClO3)2 + 4 NaOH → Mg(OH)2 + 4 NaClO3.
Practice Problems
- Balance the equation: Ca + H2O → Ca(OH)2 + H2
- Balance the equation: Fe + O2 → Fe2O3
- Balance the equation: C6H12O6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
Answer Key
- 2 Ca + 2 H2O → 2 Ca(OH)2 + H2
- 4 Fe + 3 O2 → 2 Fe2O3
- C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O
Balancing Chemical Equations: A Q&A Guide =====================================================
Q: What is a balanced chemical equation?
A: A balanced chemical equation is a chemical equation in which the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.
Q: Why is balancing chemical equations important?
A: Balancing chemical equations is important because it ensures that the law of conservation of mass is obeyed. This means that the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products.
Q: How do I balance a chemical equation?
A: To balance a chemical equation, you need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to balance the number of atoms of each element. You can start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation, identifying the imbalances, and adding coefficients to balance the equation.
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when balancing chemical equations?
A: Some common mistakes to avoid when balancing chemical equations include:
- Not counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation
- Not identifying the imbalances in the number of atoms of each element
- Adding coefficients to the wrong reactants or products
- Not checking the balanced equation to ensure that it is correct
Q: How do I know if a chemical equation is balanced?
A: A chemical equation is balanced if the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. You can check if a chemical equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Q: What are some tips for balancing chemical equations?
A: Some tips for balancing chemical equations include:
- Start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation
- Identify the imbalances in the number of atoms of each element
- Add coefficients to the reactants and products to balance the equation
- Check the balanced equation to ensure that it is correct
- Use a systematic approach to balancing the equation, such as the half-reaction method
Q: What is the half-reaction method for balancing chemical equations?
A: The half-reaction method is a systematic approach to balancing chemical equations. It involves breaking down the equation into two half-reactions, one for the oxidation and one for the reduction. You can then balance each half-reaction separately and combine them to get the final balanced equation.
Q: How do I use the half-reaction method to balance a chemical equation?
A: To use the half-reaction method to balance a chemical equation, you need to:
- Break down the equation into two half-reactions, one for the oxidation and one for the reduction
- Balance each half-reaction separately by adding coefficients to the reactants and products
- Combine the two half-reactions to get the final balanced equation
Q: What are some common applications of balancing chemical equations?
A: Some common applications of balancing chemical equations include:
- Writing chemical formulas for compounds
- Predicting the products of chemical reactions
- Calculating the amount of reactants and products in a chemical reaction
- Understanding the stoichiometry of chemical reactions
Q: How do I apply balancing chemical equations in real-world situations?
A: To apply balancing chemical equations in real-world situations, you need to:
- Understand the chemical reaction and the reactants and products involved
- Write the unbalanced equation and identify the imbalances
- Balance the equation using the half-reaction method or other systematic approaches
- Use the balanced equation to predict the products of the reaction and calculate the amount of reactants and products involved.
Conclusion
Balancing chemical equations is an important concept in chemistry that has many practical applications. By understanding how to balance chemical equations, you can write chemical formulas for compounds, predict the products of chemical reactions, and calculate the amount of reactants and products involved. This article has provided a comprehensive guide to balancing chemical equations, including tips, tricks, and common mistakes to avoid.