What Are The Coefficients For The Reaction $Cl_2O_5 + H_2O \Rightarrow HClO_3$ Once It Is Balanced?A. 1, 1, 1 B. 1, 1, 2 C. 1, 2, 2 D. 2, 1, 1

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Understanding the Basics of Chemical Equations

Chemical equations are a fundamental concept in chemistry that describe the interaction between different substances. A chemical equation is a representation of a chemical reaction, where reactants are converted into products. The equation is typically written in the form of:

Reactants → Products

In this equation, the reactants are the substances that undergo a chemical change to form the products. The coefficients in front of each substance represent the number of moles of that substance that participate in the reaction.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations is a crucial step in understanding the stoichiometry of a reaction. Stoichiometry is the study of the quantitative relationships between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. When a chemical equation is balanced, the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.

Step 1: Write the Unbalanced Equation

The given equation is:

Cl2O5+H2O⇒HClO3Cl_2O_5 + H_2O \Rightarrow HClO_3

This is the unbalanced equation, where the number of atoms of each element is not the same on both sides.

Step 2: Count the Number of Atoms

To balance the equation, we need to count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Reactants:

  • Cl: 2
  • O: 5
  • H: 2

Products:

  • H: 1
  • Cl: 1
  • O: 3

Step 3: Balance the Equation

To balance the equation, we need to add coefficients in front of each substance to make the number of atoms of each element the same on both sides.

Let's start with the chlorine (Cl) atoms. We have 2 Cl atoms on the reactant side and 1 Cl atom on the product side. To balance the Cl atoms, we need to add a coefficient of 2 in front of the ClO3 on the product side.

Cl2O5+H2O⇒2HClO3Cl_2O_5 + H_2O \Rightarrow 2HClO_3

Now, let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Reactants:

  • Cl: 2
  • O: 5
  • H: 2

Products:

  • H: 2
  • Cl: 2
  • O: 6

We still have an imbalance in the oxygen (O) atoms. We have 5 O atoms on the reactant side and 6 O atoms on the product side. To balance the O atoms, we need to add a coefficient of 1/2 in front of the H2O on the reactant side.

Cl2O5+12H2O⇒2HClO3Cl_2O_5 + \frac{1}{2}H_2O \Rightarrow 2HClO_3

However, we cannot have a fraction as a coefficient in a balanced equation. To fix this, we can multiply the entire equation by 2 to get rid of the fraction.

2Cl2O5+H2O⇒4HClO32Cl_2O_5 + H_2O \Rightarrow 4HClO_3

Now, let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Reactants:

  • Cl: 4
  • O: 10
  • H: 2

Products:

  • H: 4
  • Cl: 4
  • O: 10

The equation is now balanced.

Coefficients for the Reaction

The coefficients for the reaction are:

  • Cl2O5: 2
  • H2O: 1
  • HClO3: 4

Therefore, the correct answer is:

D. 2, 1, 4

Conclusion

Q: What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

A: The purpose of balancing chemical equations is to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. This is essential in understanding the stoichiometry of a reaction, which is the study of the quantitative relationships between reactants and products.

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 an equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Q: What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced equation?

A: A balanced equation has the same number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides, while an unbalanced equation has a different number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Q: How do I balance a chemical equation?

A: To balance a chemical equation, follow these steps:

  1. Write the unbalanced equation.
  2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  3. Add coefficients in front of each substance to make the number of atoms of each element the same on both sides.
  4. Check if the equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

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.
  • Adding coefficients that are not necessary.
  • Not checking if the equation is balanced after adding coefficients.

Q: How do I know which coefficients to add to balance a chemical equation?

A: To determine which coefficients to add, count the number of atoms of each element on both sides and add coefficients in front of each substance to make the number of atoms of each element the same on both sides.

Q: Can I have a fraction as a coefficient in a balanced equation?

A: No, you cannot have a fraction as a coefficient in a balanced equation. If you have a fraction as a coefficient, multiply the entire equation by a number that will eliminate the fraction.

Q: What is the significance of coefficients in a balanced equation?

A: The coefficients in a balanced equation represent the number of moles of each substance that participate in the reaction. They are essential in understanding the quantitative relationships between reactants and products.

Q: How do I determine the coefficients for a reaction?

A: To determine the coefficients for a reaction, follow these steps:

  1. Write the unbalanced equation.
  2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  3. Add coefficients in front of each substance to make the number of atoms of each element the same on both sides.
  4. Check if the equation is balanced by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Q: Can I have a negative coefficient in a balanced equation?

A: No, you cannot have a negative coefficient in a balanced equation. Coefficients must be positive numbers.

Q: What is the difference between a coefficient and a subscript?

A: A coefficient is a number that is placed in front of a substance in a chemical equation, while a subscript is a number that is placed below a symbol in a chemical formula.

Q: How do I use coefficients to solve problems involving chemical reactions?

A: To use coefficients to solve problems involving chemical reactions, follow these steps:

  1. Write the balanced equation for the reaction.
  2. Use the coefficients to determine the number of moles of each substance that participate in the reaction.
  3. Use the number of moles to solve the problem.

Q: Can I use coefficients to solve problems involving chemical reactions that involve multiple steps?

A: Yes, you can use coefficients to solve problems involving chemical reactions that involve multiple steps. However, you must write the balanced equation for each step and use the coefficients to determine the number of moles of each substance that participate in each step.