Which Of The Following Equations Is Balanced?A. $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$B. $NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + HCl$C. $3NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + HCl$D. $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 +

Chemical equations are a fundamental aspect of chemistry, representing the transformation of one or more substances into another. However, not all chemical equations are balanced, meaning the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. In this article, we will explore the concept of balancing chemical equations and determine which of the given equations is balanced.

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 means that the number of atoms of each element is conserved during the reaction. A balanced chemical equation is essential in chemistry as it helps to:

• Predict the products of a reaction: By balancing a chemical equation, we can predict the products of a reaction and understand the stoichiometry of the reaction.
• Calculate the amount of reactants and products: A balanced chemical equation allows us to calculate the amount of reactants and products required for a reaction.
• Understand the mechanism of a reaction: A balanced chemical equation provides insight into the mechanism of a reaction, helping us to understand how the reactants are converted into products.

How to Balance a Chemical Equation

Balancing a chemical equation involves adding coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. The steps involved in balancing a chemical equation are:

1. Write the unbalanced equation: Write the chemical equation with the reactants on the left and the products on the right.
2. Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
3. Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
4. Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Balancing the Given Equations

Let's apply the steps involved in balancing a chemical equation to the given equations.

Equation A: $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$

To balance this equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

• Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
  • N: 1 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • Cl: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • H: 6 (reactant), 6 (product)
  • O: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
• Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
  • $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ (already balanced)
• Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  • N: 1 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • Cl: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • H: 6 (reactant), 6 (product)
  • O: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)

The equation $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ is balanced.

Equation B: $NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + HCl$

To balance this equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

• Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
  • N: 1 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • Cl: 3 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • H: 3 (reactant), 6 (product)
  • O: 1 (reactant), 3 (product)
• Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
  • $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ (not balanced)
• Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  • N: 1 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • Cl: 3 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • H: 3 (reactant), 6 (product)
  • O: 1 (reactant), 3 (product)

The equation $NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + HCl$ is not balanced.

Equation C: $3NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + HCl$

To balance this equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

• Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
  • N: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • Cl: 9 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • H: 3 (reactant), 9 (product)
  • O: 1 (reactant), 3 (product)
• Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
  • $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ (not balanced)
• Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  • N: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • Cl: 9 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • H: 3 (reactant), 9 (product)
  • O: 1 (reactant), 3 (product)

The equation $3NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + HCl$ is not balanced.

Equation D: $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$

To balance this equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

• Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
  • N: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • Cl: 9 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • H: 9 (reactant), 9 (product)
  • O: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
• Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
  • $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ (balanced)
• Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  • N: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • Cl: 9 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • H: 9 (reactant), 9 (product)
  • O: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)

The equation $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ is balanced.

Conclusion

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Chemical equations are a fundamental aspect of chemistry, representing the transformation of one or more substances into another. However, not all chemical equations are balanced, meaning the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides. In this article, we will explore the concept of balancing chemical equations and determine which of the given equations is balanced.

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 means that the number of atoms of each element is conserved during the reaction. A balanced chemical equation is essential in chemistry as it helps to:

• Predict the products of a reaction: By balancing a chemical equation, we can predict the products of a reaction and understand the stoichiometry of the reaction.
• Calculate the amount of reactants and products: A balanced chemical equation allows us to calculate the amount of reactants and products required for a reaction.
• Understand the mechanism of a reaction: A balanced chemical equation provides insight into the mechanism of a reaction, helping us to understand how the reactants are converted into products.

How to Balance a Chemical Equation

Balancing a chemical equation involves adding coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. The steps involved in balancing a chemical equation are:

1. Write the unbalanced equation: Write the chemical equation with the reactants on the left and the products on the right.
2. Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
3. Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
4. Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Balancing the Given Equations

Let's apply the steps involved in balancing a chemical equation to the given equations.

Equation A: $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$

To balance this equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

• Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
  • N: 1 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • Cl: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • H: 6 (reactant), 6 (product)
  • O: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
• Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
  • $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ (already balanced)
• Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  • N: 1 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • Cl: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • H: 6 (reactant), 6 (product)
  • O: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)

The equation $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ is balanced.

Equation B: $NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + HCl$

To balance this equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

• Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
  • N: 1 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • Cl: 3 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • H: 3 (reactant), 6 (product)
  • O: 1 (reactant), 3 (product)
• Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
  • $NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ (not balanced)
• Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  • N: 1 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • Cl: 3 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • H: 3 (reactant), 6 (product)
  • O: 1 (reactant), 3 (product)

The equation $NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow H_3NO_3 + HCl$ is not balanced.

Equation C: $3NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + HCl$

To balance this equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

• Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
  • N: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • Cl: 9 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • H: 3 (reactant), 9 (product)
  • O: 1 (reactant), 3 (product)
• Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
  • $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ (not balanced)
• Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  • N: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • Cl: 9 (reactant), 1 (product)
  • H: 3 (reactant), 9 (product)
  • O: 1 (reactant), 3 (product)

The equation $3NCl_3 + H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + HCl$ is not balanced.

Equation D: $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$

To balance this equation, we need to add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

• Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
  • N: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • Cl: 9 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • H: 9 (reactant), 9 (product)
  • O: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
• Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
  • $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ (balanced)
• Check the balance: Check the balance of the equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
  • N: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • Cl: 9 (reactant), 3 (product)
  • H: 9 (reactant), 9 (product)
  • O: 3 (reactant), 3 (product)

The equation $3NCl_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 3H_3NO_3 + 3HCl$ is balanced.

Q&A

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 a chemical equation important?

A: Balancing a chemical equation is important because it helps to predict the products of a reaction, calculate the amount of reactants and products, and understand the mechanism of a reaction.

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 ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.

Q: What are the steps involved in balancing a chemical equation?

A: The steps involved in balancing a chemical equation are:

1. Write the unbalanced equation: Write the chemical equation with the reactants on the left and the products on the right.
2. Count the atoms: Count the number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides.
3. Add coefficients: Add coefficients to the reactants and products to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on