...Zn(s) + ...H+(aq)-->
When the equation for the reaction represented above is completed and balanced and all coefficients are reduced to lowest whole number terms, the coefficient for H+ is?
Am I just supposed to know what products are made from this redox? Say I don't know, how would I analyze?
I have no clue how to actually solve this, but just match the H+ ion's charge with that of Zn by giving H+ the coefficient of 2. Very little information is given so I guess you can make some assumptions about how chemistry works lol
To analyze the reaction and determine the coefficients, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the elements present on both sides of the reaction. In this case, we have Zinc (Zn) and Hydrogen (H).
2. Start by balancing the atoms other than hydrogen and oxygen. In this case, we only have Zinc on the left side, so we write Zn on the right side to balance it.
Zn(s) + ...H+(aq) ---> Zn + ...
3. Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. Since there is only one H+ on the right side, we balance it by adding a coefficient of 1 to H+ on the left side:
Zn(s) + 1H+(aq) ---> Zn + ...
4. Finally, verify if the reaction is balanced for both atoms and charge. In this case, the reaction is already balanced for atoms, but it is not balanced for charge. Zinc has a charge of 0 on both sides, but H+ has a charge of +1. To balance the charge, we add an electron (e-) to the left side of the reaction:
Zn(s) + 1H+(aq) + 2e- ---> Zn + ...
Now the reaction is balanced, and the coefficient for H+ is 1.
To find the coefficient for H+ in the balanced equation, we need to first determine the products formed when Zn (a solid) reacts with H+ (an aqueous solution). In this case, we can recall a common reaction involving metals, which is the displacement reaction.
A displacement reaction occurs when a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound. In this case, zinc (Zn) is more reactive than hydrogen (H+) and will displace it from the compound. Therefore, the products of this reaction will be zinc ions (Zn2+) and hydrogen gas (H2).
Now, to balance the equation:
Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) --> Zn2+(aq) + H2(g)
In the balanced equation, we can see that there are two hydrogen ions (H+) on the left side, which balances with the two hydrogen atoms in the hydrogen gas (H2) generated on the right side.
So, the coefficient for H+ in the balanced equation is 2.