Question

(1 point) Consider the chemical reaction aAl+bH2O→cAl(OH)3+dH2, where a, b, c, and d are unknown positive integers. The reaction must be balanced; that is, the number of atoms of each element must be the same before and after the reaction. For example, because the number of oxygen atoms must remain the same, b=3c. While there are many possible choices for a, b, c, and d that balance the reaction, it is customary to use the smallest possible integers. Balance this reaction.

Answer 1

Answer:

2Al + 6H2O --> 2Al(H2O)3 + 3H2

Explanation:

aAl + bH2O --> cAl(H2O)3 + dH2

To balance this equation, the Al(H2O)3 is first multiplied by c = 2 to even out the water molecule.

Since we have done that, the reactant water molecule is balenced with b = 3 so that the difference in the Hydrogen in the aluminum hydroxide molecule and the reactant water molecule, which is 6 goes to the H2 (d = 3) in the product.

Then, the Al metal is balanced with a = 2 and then the reaction is balanced.

2Al + 6H2O --> 2Al(H2O) + 3H2