What is the correct answer for balancing 3NO2+ H20 --> HNO3+2NO ?
I have worked through this and got 6NO+H20 -->H3NO3+2NO is the correct answer?
No. What in the world is H3NO3.?
H2O + 3NO2 ==> 2HNO3 + NO
Yeah, but why?
To determine the correct answer for balancing the chemical equation 3NO2 + H2O -> HNO3 + 2NO, we need to ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.
Let's go through the process of balancing the equation step by step:
1. Start by counting the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.
On the left side (reactant side):
- Nitrogen (N): 3
- Oxygen (O): 8 (3 x 2 + 2)
On the right side (product side):
- Nitrogen (N): 4 (1 + 2 + 1)
- Oxygen (O): 7 (1 + 3 x 2)
2. The number of nitrogen atoms is not balanced. To balance nitrogen, we need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of HNO3. Now, the nitrogen count becomes 2.
Balanced equation so far: 3NO2 + H2O -> 2HNO3 + 2NO
3. Now, let's check the oxygen atoms:
On the left side (reactant side): 8
On the right side (product side): 14 (2 x 1 + 2 x 3)
Since oxygen is not balanced, we need to add a coefficient in front of H2O. We need 5 oxygen atoms on each side. After balancing the oxygen, the equation becomes:
Balanced equation: 3NO2 + 5H2O -> 2HNO3 + 2NO
Therefore, the correct balanced equation for the given reaction is 3NO2 + 5H2O -> 2HNO3 + 2NO. Your initial attempt, 6NO + H2O -> H3NO3 + 2NO, does not achieve a balanced equation as it does not have the same number of atoms on both sides for nitrogen and oxygen.