The reaction 2ClO2(aq)+2OH−(aq)→ClO3−(aq)+ClO2−(aq)+H2O(l)
What about the reaction?
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The given reaction is a chemical equation that represents a chemical reaction between two reactants, 2ClO2(aq) and 2OH^-(aq), and produces three products: ClO3^-(aq), ClO2^-(aq), and H2O(l).
To understand the reaction, it is important to know the symbols and terms used in the equation:
- (aq) represents the fact that the substance is in aqueous or dissolved form in water.
- ClO2 is the chemical formula for chlorine dioxide.
- OH^- is the chemical formula for hydroxide ion.
- ClO3^- is the chemical formula for chlorate ion.
- H2O(l) represents liquid water.
Now, to balance the chemical equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
To balance the equation, follow these steps:
Step 1: Count the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.
On the left side:
2 Cl atoms
4 O atoms
2 H atoms
On the right side:
1 Cl atom (in ClO3^-)
2 Cl atoms (in ClO2^-)
3 O atoms
2 H atoms
Step 2: Begin by balancing the atoms that appear in the fewest compounds. In this case, we can start with Cl, which appears in only one compound on each side.
By placing a coefficient of 2 in front of ClO2^- on the right side of the equation, we can balance the Cl atoms:
2 ClO2^-(aq)
Now, the Cl atoms are balanced:
2 Cl atoms (on both sides)
Step 3: Proceed to balance the O atoms. On the left side, we have 4 O atoms. On the right side, we have 3 O atoms in ClO3^- and 2 O atoms in ClO2^-.
By placing a coefficient of 2 in front of ClO3^- on the right side of the equation, we can balance the O atoms:
2 ClO3^-(aq)
Now, the O atoms are balanced:
4 O atoms (on both sides)
Step 4: Balance the H atoms. On the left side, we have 2 H atoms. On the right side, we have 2 H atoms in H2O.
The H atoms are already balanced, so no further adjustments are needed.
After balancing all the elements, the balanced equation is:
2 ClO2(aq) + 2 OH^-(aq) → 2 ClO3^-(aq) + 2 ClO2^-(aq) + H2O(l)
This balanced equation correctly represents the reaction.