balance equation for lead(II) nitrate and sulfuric acid

a) coefficients should be in terms of lowest whole numbers. represent substances in solutions as ions if the substances are extensively ionized

To balance the equation for the reaction between lead(II) nitrate and sulfuric acid, you need to follow a systematic approach. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Write down the unbalanced equation:

Pb(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → Pb(SO4) + HNO3

Step 2: Balance the elements that appear in the equation on both sides. Begin with elements that are present in only one compound on each side, in this case, the lead (Pb):

Pb(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → Pb(SO4) + HNO3

Step 3: Balance the nitrogen (N) atoms by adding a coefficient in front of HNO3:

Pb(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → Pb(SO4) + HNO3

Step 4: Balance the oxygen (O) atoms by adjusting the coefficients of the nitrate ions (NO3-) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4):

Pb(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → Pb(SO4) + HNO3

Step 5: Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms by adding a coefficient in front of H2SO4:

Pb(NO3)2 + 2H2SO4 → Pb(SO4) + HNO3

Step 6: Check the overall balance of the equation:

1 Pb atom: 1 Pb atom (balanced)
2 N atoms: 2 N atoms (balanced)
10 O atoms: 10 O atoms (balanced)
8 H atoms: 8 H atoms (balanced)
1 S atom: 1 S atom (balanced)

Now the equation is balanced:

Pb(NO3)2 + 2H2SO4 → Pb(SO4) + 2HNO3

Remember, the coefficients should be in terms of lowest whole numbers. The substances in solutions are represented as ions because they are extensively ionized.

To balance the equation between lead(II) nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4), we need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here's the balanced equation:

Pb(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → PbSO4 + 2HNO3

Explanation:
1. Start by balancing the atoms that occur only once on both sides of the equation. In this case, we have lead (Pb) and sulfur (S):
Pb(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → PbSO4 + __ HNO3

2. Next, balance the nitrate (NO3) ion:
Pb(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → PbSO4 + __HNO3
The nitrate (NO3) ion is balanced already.

3. Lastly, balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. We have 2 hydrogen atoms in sulfuric acid (H2SO4), so we need 2 nitric acid (HNO3) molecules on the right side to balance it:
Pb(NO3)2 + H2SO4 → PbSO4 + 2HNO3

Now, the equation is balanced, with the same number of atoms of each element on both sides.