When the following equation is balanced the coefficient of CaO is ...
CaO + P4O10 > Ca3(PO4)2
What's the problem in doing this? I should be easy enough. Tell me your trouble; perhaps I can figure out the mental block.
To balance the equation CaO + P4O10 > Ca3(PO4)2, you need to make sure that there are equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Here's how you can balance it step by step:
1. Start by counting the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.
Left side: 1 Ca, 1 O, 1 P, 10 O
Right side: 3 Ca, 2 P, 8 O
2. As you can see, the number of Ca, P, and O atoms are not balanced. We need to adjust the coefficients to balance them.
3. Let's start by balancing the phosphorus (P) atoms. Currently, there is only 1 P atom on the left side, but 2 P atoms on the right side. To balance them, we can place a coefficient of 2 in front of the CaO on the left side:
2 CaO + P4O10 > Ca3(PO4)2
4. Now, the number of P atoms is balanced: 2 P on the left side and 2 P on the right side.
5. Next, let's balance the oxygen (O) atoms. Currently, there are 2 O atoms on the left side and 8 O atoms on the right side. To balance them, we can place a coefficient of 4 in front of the CaO on the left side:
4 CaO + P4O10 > Ca3(PO4)2
6. Now, the number of O atoms is balanced: 4 O on the left side and 4 O on the right side.
7. Finally, let's balance the calcium (Ca) atoms. Currently, there are 4 Ca atoms on the left side and 3 Ca atoms on the right side. To balance them, we can place a coefficient of 3 in front of Ca3(PO4)2 on the right side:
4 CaO + P4O10 > 3 Ca3(PO4)2
8. Now, the equation is balanced with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides.
The coefficient of CaO in the balanced equation is 4.