Balance the following chemical equations: 1. CaCl2 + (NH4)2CO3 → CaCO3 + NH4Cl 2. Fe(OH)3 + H2SO4 → Fe2(SO4)3 + H2O 3. Al + H2SO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + H2
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Here are the correctly balanced chemical equations:
- CaCl₂ + (NH₄)₂CO₃ → CaCO₃ + NH₄Cl
Balanced:
CaCl₂ + (NH₄)₂CO₃ → CaCO₃ + 2NH₄Cl - Fe(OH)₃ + H₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂O
Balanced:
2Fe(OH)₃ + 3H₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 6H₂O - Al + H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂
Balanced:
2Al + 3H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3H₂
Explanation
Balancing chemical equations is essential to ensure that the law of conservation of mass is upheld. This law states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, so the same number of each type of atom must appear on both sides of the equation.
Equation 1:
CaCl₂ + (NH₄)₂CO₃ → CaCO₃ + NH₄Cl
On the left, there are two ammonium (NH₄⁺) ions from (NH₄)₂CO₃. To balance the ammonium ions on the right side, you need two NH₄Cl molecules. Calcium, carbonate, and chloride ions are already balanced.
Equation 2:
Fe(OH)₃ + H₂SO₄ → Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂O
The compound Fe₂(SO₄)₃ contains two iron (Fe) atoms and three sulfate (SO₄²⁻) groups. Each Fe(OH)₃ provides one iron and three hydroxide (OH⁻) ions. Therefore, two Fe(OH)₃ molecules are needed for two Fe atoms. Three H₂SO₄ molecules supply the three sulfate ions. The hydroxide and hydrogen from sulfuric acid combine to form water. Since there are six OH⁻ ions total (from 2 Fe(OH)₃), six H⁺ ions are required to produce six water molecules.
Equation 3:
Al + H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + H₂
Al₂(SO₄)₃ has two aluminum atoms, so you need two Al atoms on the left. It also contains three sulfate ions, which come from three H₂SO₄ molecules. Each molecule of sulfuric acid also releases two hydrogen atoms, so three H₂SO₄ molecules yield six hydrogen atoms, which combine to form three H₂ molecules.
By carefully counting atoms and ions on both sides and adjusting coefficients accordingly, each equation becomes balanced and chemically accurate.
