Balance the chemical equation

Balance the chemical equation : Ca(OH)2 + CO2 – arrow – CaCO3 + H20

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

To balance the chemical equation:

Unbalanced equation:
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O

Step-by-step process:

1. Write the unbalanced equation:
   The unbalanced equation is:
   Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O
2. Balance the calcium (Ca) atoms:
   On the left side, there is 1 calcium atom (from Ca(OH)2), and on the right side, there is 1 calcium atom (from CaCO3). Calcium is already balanced.
3. Balance the carbonate (CO3) ions:
   On the left side, we have 1 carbonate ion from CO2. On the right side, we also have 1 carbonate ion from CaCO3. This part is balanced.
4. Balance the hydroxide (OH) groups:
   On the left side, there are 2 hydroxide ions from Ca(OH)2. On the right side, there is 1 hydroxide ion in H2O. To balance the hydroxides, we need 2 molecules of H2O on the right.
5. Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms:
   On the left side, there are 2 hydrogen atoms in Ca(OH)2. On the right side, by having 2 molecules of H2O, we will have 4 hydrogen atoms. This requires 2 molecules of H2O to balance the hydrogen atoms.
6. Double-check the oxygen atoms:
   Now, check the oxygen atoms. On the left side, there are 2 oxygen atoms in Ca(OH)2 and 2 in CO2, making 4 oxygen atoms total. On the right side, we have 3 oxygen atoms in CaCO3 and 1 oxygen atom in 2 molecules of H2O, making 4 oxygen atoms total. The oxygen atoms are balanced.

Final Balanced Equation:

Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O

This equation is now balanced with 1 calcium atom, 2 oxygen atoms, and 2 hydrogen atoms on both sides of the equation.

Explanation:

Balancing a chemical equation involves ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the reaction. In this case, the equation initially had 1 calcium atom on both sides, and 2 oxygen atoms from Ca(OH)2 and CO2 on the left, which balanced with the oxygen atoms in CaCO3 and H2O on the right. The hydroxide ions and hydrogen atoms were balanced by adjusting the number of water molecules. Finally, we checked the number of oxygen atoms to ensure they were also balanced, completing the process.