How to balanced chemical equation and identify the type of reaction for solid ammonium nitrate decomposes into dinitrogen monoxide gas and water
NH4NO3 ==> N2O + 2H2O
The problem tells you it is a decomposition reaction.
To balance a chemical equation and identify the type of reaction, follow these steps:
Step 1: Write the unbalanced chemical equation using chemical formulas. In this case, the equation is:
NH4NO3(s) ⟶ N2O(g) + H2O(g)
Step 2: Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation to determine which elements are unbalanced. In the given equation, we have:
On the left side: 1 N, 4 H, 3 O
On the right side: 2 N, 2 H, 2 O
Step 3: Begin balancing with the most complex molecules and elements that appear only once on each side of the equation. Start by balancing Nitrogen (N).
On the left side: 1 N
On the right side: 2 N
Add a coefficient of 2 in front of NH4NO3:
2NH4NO3(s) ⟶ N2O(g) + H2O(g)
Now, we have 2 N on both sides.
Step 4: Balance Hydrogen (H) by adjusting the coefficients of water (H2O).
On the left side: 8 H (2 x 4)
On the right side: 2 H
Add a coefficient of 4 in front of H2O:
2NH4NO3(s) ⟶ N2O(g) + 4H2O(g)
Now, we have balanced Hydrogen as well.
Step 5: Balance Oxygen (O) by adjusting the coefficients of dinitrogen monoxide (N2O) and water (H2O).
On the left side: 12 O (3 x 4)
On the right side: 4 O (2 + 2)
Add a coefficient of 4 in front of N2O:
2NH4NO3(s) ⟶ 4N2O(g) + 4H2O(g)
Now, we have balanced Oxygen as well.
The balanced equation for the decomposition of solid ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) into dinitrogen monoxide (N2O) gas and water (H2O) is:
2NH4NO3(s) ⟶ 4N2O(g) + 4H2O(g)
This reaction is a decomposition reaction because one compound, ammonium nitrate, breaks down into two or more simpler substances, dinitrogen monoxide and water.