Question

To balance a chemical equation it may be necessary to adjust the

Answer 1

Answer:

• To balance a chemical equation it may be necessary to adjust the coefficients.

Explanation:

The coefficients of a chemical equation are the numbers that you put in front of each reactant and product. They are used to balance the equation and comply with the law of mass conservation.

By adjusting the coefficients you obtain the relative amounts (moles) of each product and reactant, i.e. the mole ratios.

Here an example.

The first information is what is called a word equation. E.g. nitrogen and hydrogen react to form ammonia:

• Word equation: hydrogen + nitrogen → ammonia

• Skeleton equation: H₂ + N₂ → NH₃

        This equation shows the chemical formulae but it is not balanced. The law of mass conservation is not observed.

So, in order to comply with the law of mass conservation you adjust the coefficients as follow.

• Balanced chemical equation: 3H₂ + N₂ → 2NH₃

        As you see, it was necessary to modify the coefficients. Now the law of conservation of mass is observed and you get the mole ratios:

• 3 mol H₂ : 1 mol  N₂ : 2 mol NH₃