Question

What coefficients must be added to balance the following reaction? _____ Sn + _____ H3PO4 yields _____ H2 + _____ Sn3(PO4)4

Answer 1

The given unbalanced equation is as follow,

                         Sn  +  H₃PO₄    →    H₂  +  Sn₃(PO₄)₄

In above equation first let get start with Sn, on left side its one and on right side its 3. So, multiply Sn on left side with 3 to balance Sn, Hence,

                         3 Sn  +  H₃PO₄    →    H₂  +  Sn₃(PO₄)₄

Now, balance Phosphorous, on left side it counts one and on right side it counts 4, so multiply H₃PO₄ on left side with 4 to balance P, Hence,

                         3 Sn  +  4 H₃PO₄    →    H₂  +  Sn₃(PO₄)₄

Oxygen on both left and right are 16 in number, Hence it is balanced,

Hydrogen on left hand side are 12 in number, while that on right hand side only 2, So, multiply H₂ on right side by 6 to balance hydrogen atoms.


                         3 Sn  +  4 H₃PO₄    →   6 H₂  +  Sn₃(PO₄)₄

Above equation is balanced, and coefficients are highlighted bold and underlined.