The reaction of hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid and lead results in the production of lead sulfate in an acidic aqueous solution. Write the balanced equation for this reaction.
H2O2(aq) + H2SO4(aq) + Pb(s) -> PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)
Thank you for replying.
Why do we add water to it?
There is no H2O added. Water is FORMED by the reaction.
To write a balanced chemical equation, we need to make sure that the number of atoms on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms on the product side.
The reaction is between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and lead (Pb), resulting in the production of lead sulfate (PbSO4).
The unbalanced equation can be written as:
H2O2 + H2SO4 + Pb → PbSO4 + ?
To balance the equation, we need to determine the coefficients that will make the number of atoms of each element equal on both sides.
Let's balance it step by step:
First, let's balance the sulfur atom. There is one sulfur atom on the left side and one on the right side, so we don't need to adjust the sulfur.
H2O2 + H2SO4 + Pb → PbSO4 + ?
Next, let's balance the hydrogen atoms. There are four hydrogen atoms on the left side and two on the right side, so we need to add a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O2.
2H2O2 + H2SO4 + Pb → PbSO4 + ?
Finally, let's balance the oxygen atoms. There are four oxygen atoms on the left side and four on the right side, so the equation is already balanced.
2H2O2 + H2SO4 + Pb → PbSO4 + ?
Therefore, the balanced equation for the reaction of hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, and lead to produce lead sulfate in an acidic aqueous solution is:
2H2O2 + H2SO4 + Pb → PbSO4 + H2O