Here's one last equation I can't balance:
Al{subscript 2}(SO{subscript 4}){subscript 3} + ZnCl{subscript 2} -> AlCl{subscript 3} + ZnSO{subscript 4}
Please help, and thanks again.
Al2(SO4)3 + 3ZnCl2 ---> 2AlCl3 + ?___ZnSO4
Why do you have "?____" before the ZnSO4?
I believe GK intends for you to fill in the blank for ZnSO4.
To balance the given equation: Al₂(SO₄)₃ + ZnCl₂ → AlCl₃ + ZnSO₄, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Let's break down the equation and balance it step-by-step:
1. Start with the elements that appear in only one compound on each side. In this case, we have Al, Zn, and Cl.
Al₂(SO₄)₃ + ZnCl₂ → AlCl₃ + ZnSO₄
2. Balance the metal atoms (Al and Zn) first. We have two Al atoms on the left and one Al atom on the right, and we have one Zn atom on the left and one Zn atom on the right. To balance these:
Al₂(SO₄)₃ + ZnCl₂ → 2AlCl₃ + ZnSO₄
3. Next, balance the non-metal atoms (S and O). We have three Sulfur (S) atoms on the left and one Sulfur (S) atom on the right. To balance these:
Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3ZnCl₂ → 2AlCl₃ + ZnSO₄
4. Finally, balance the Chlorine (Cl) atoms. We have six Chlorine (Cl) atoms on the right and six Chlorine (Cl) atoms on the left. Therefore, the Chlorine atoms are already balanced.
The balanced equation is:
Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3ZnCl₂ → 2AlCl₃ + ZnSO₄
We have balanced both sides of the equation by adjusting the coefficients in front of the compounds.