How do I write the balanced chemical equation for
Copper +nitric acid -> copper(II)nitrate+ nitrogen dioxide + water
Cu + HNO3 ==> Cu(NO3)2 + NO2 + H2O
Can you balance it? Cu goes from zero oxidation state on the left to +2 on the right. N (in HNO3) goes from +5 on the left to +4 on the right (in NO2)
thank you :)
To write a balanced chemical equation, you need to follow a few steps.
Step 1: Write the chemical formula for each reactant and product in the equation.
Copper: Cu
Nitric acid: HNO3
Copper(II) nitrate: Cu(NO3)2
Nitrogen dioxide: NO2
Water: H2O
Step 2: Write the unbalanced equation by placing the reactants on the left side of the arrow and the products on the right side.
Cu + HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + NO2 + H2O
Step 3: Balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients in front of each compound to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation. Start by balancing the most complex or compound with the largest number of atoms.
Balancing the atoms:
1 copper (Cu) on each side
1 nitrogen (N) on each side
3 oxygens (O) on each side
3 hydrogens (H) on each side
Balancing the equation:
Cu + 4HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O
Now the equation is balanced, with the same number of atoms of each element on both sides.
To balance the equation, you can adjust the coefficients in front of each compound. In this case, you need to place the coefficients of 4 in front of HNO3, 2 in front of NO2, and 2 in front of H2O.