Question

What is the coefficient of H2O when the following equation is properly balanced with the smallest set of whole numbers? ________ PCl3(l) + ________ H2O(l) → ________ H3PO3(aq) + ________ HCl(aq) Group of answer choices

Answer 1

The given question is incomplete. The complete question is :

What is the coefficient of $H_2O$ when the following equation is properly balanced with the smallest set of whole numbers? $PCl_3(l)+H_2O(l)\rightarrow H_3PO_3(aq)+HCl(aq)$

Answer: The coefficient of $H_2O$ is 3

Explanation:

According to the law of conservation of mass, mass can neither be created nor be destroyed. Thus the mass of products has to be equal to the mass of reactants. The number of atoms of each element has to be same on reactant and product side. Thus chemical equations are balanced.

The balanced chemical reaction is:

$PCl_3(l)+3H_2O(l)\rightarrow H_3PO_3(aq)+3HCl(aq)$

The coefficient of $H_2O$ is 3