Question

What are the coefficients when the equation below is balanced?

Answer 1

Answer:

1, 2, 2, 1

Explanation:

This is basically the equation we're trying to balance:

Cu + AgNO₃ → Ag + Cu(NO₃)₂

We start with Copper (Cu): There is 1 atom on the reactants'(left) side and 1 atom on the products'(right) side which means it's balanced

The second is Silver (Ag): There is 1 atom on the reactants' side and 1 atom on the products' side which means it's balanced

The third is Nitrogen (N) and there is 1 atom on the reactants' side and 2 atoms on the products' side. We balance it by multiplying the reactants' side by 2

Cu + 2AgNO₃ → Ag + Cu(NO₃)₂

Silver is now imbalanced so we multiply the silver atoms on the product's side by 2

Cu + 2AgNO₃ → 2Ag + Cu(NO₃)₂

If you count them now, the atoms on each side are the same number

1 Copper atom on each side

2 Silver atoms on each side

2 Nitrogen atoms on each side

6 Oxygen atoms on each side (2 sets of 3 oxygen atoms)

1Cu + 2AgNO₃ → 2Ag + 1Cu(NO₃)₂