Balance the following chemical equation.
Al + 02 -> Al2O3
4 Al + 3 O2 --> 2Al2O3
To balance the chemical equation Al + O2 -> Al2O3, we need to make sure that there is an equal number of atoms on both sides of the equation.
Let's start by counting the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation:
On the left side:
- There is 1 Al (aluminum) atom.
- There are 2 O (oxygen) atoms.
On the right side:
- There are 2 Al (aluminum) atoms.
- There are 3 O (oxygen) atoms.
Since there are already 2 Al atoms on the right side, let's balance the number of oxygen atoms.
To balance the oxygen atoms, we need to add a coefficient in front of the O2 molecule on the left side. Let's try putting a 2 in front of O2:
Al + 2O2 -> Al2O3
Now, let's count the number of atoms again:
On the left side:
- There is 1 Al (aluminum) atom.
- There are 4 O (oxygen) atoms.
On the right side:
- There are 2 Al (aluminum) atoms.
- There are 3 O (oxygen) atoms.
We still don't have an equal number of oxygen atoms on both sides. To balance it, let's try doubling the coefficient in front of Al2O3:
Al + 2O2 -> 2Al2O3
Now, let's count the number of atoms again:
On the left side:
- There is 1 Al (aluminum) atom.
- There are 4 O (oxygen) atoms.
On the right side:
- There are 4 Al (aluminum) atoms.
- There are 6 O (oxygen) atoms.
Now the equation is balanced, with an equal number of atoms on both sides:
2Al + 3O2 -> 2Al2O3
Therefore, the balanced chemical equation is 2Al + 3O2 -> 2Al2O3.