could someone tell me how i could solve this chem equation
CH4 + NH3 +O2...> HCN +H20
AND USE THE LOWEST WHOLE NUMBER COEFFICIENT
i WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY POINTERS
Try these coefficients.
2,2,3==>2,6
Hi bex heres a little more help for you.
Answer is 2CH4+2NH3+3O2-->2HCN+6H2O.
I leave it to you to put the states in.
To solve a chemical equation and determine the coefficients, you need to follow a systematic approach. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Start by counting the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation. This will help you identify which elements are balanced and which ones are not.
2. Begin with the element that appears in the fewest number of compounds. In this case, the element appearing in the fewest compounds is hydrogen (H).
3. Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms by adjusting the coefficients in front of the compounds that contain hydrogen. For the reaction:
CH4 + NH3 + O2 → HCN + H2O
H: 4 in CH4 and 2 in H2O; so, multiply HCN by 2 to balance the hydrogen:
CH4 + NH3 + O2 → 2HCN + H2O
H: 2 in NH3; so, multiply H2O by 2 to balance the hydrogen:
CH4 + NH3 + O2 → 2HCN + 2H2O
4. Now, let's move on to the next element with an unbalanced number of atoms, which is carbon (C). Balance the carbon atoms:
C: 1 in CH4; so, multiply HCN by 2 to balance the carbon:
CH4 + NH3 + O2 → 2HCN + 2H2O
5. Finally, balance the nitrogen (N) atoms:
N: 1 in NH3 and 1 in HCN; so, multiply NH3 by 2 to balance the nitrogen:
CH4 + 2NH3 + O2 → 2HCN + 2H2O
6. Lastly, balance the oxygen (O) atoms:
O: 2 in O2 and 2 in H2O; so, multiply O2 by 3 to balance the oxygen:
CH4 + 2NH3 + 3O2 → 2HCN + 2H2O
This is the final balanced chemical equation with the lowest whole number coefficients:
CH4 + 2NH3 + 3O2 → 2HCN + 2H2O
Remember to include the appropriate states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, aqueous) for each compound in the reaction if required.