Balancing the following equation by filling in the missing coefficients ____AI+____O2———>AI2O3
2/3/2
To balance the equation AI + O2 --> AI2O3, we need to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Let's start by counting the number of atoms on each side of the equation:
On the left side:
- We have 1 AI atom.
On the right side:
- We have 2 AI atoms and 3 O atoms.
Since there are more AI and O atoms on the right side, we need to balance them by adjusting the coefficients in front of the reactants and products.
Let's begin by balancing the AI atoms. We currently have 1 AI atom on the left side, but 2 AI atoms on the right side. To balance AI, we will put a coefficient of 2 in front of AI on the left side.
2 AI + O2 --> AI2O3
Now let's look at the O atoms. We currently have 3 O atoms on the right side (AI2O3), but none on the left side. To balance O, we will put a coefficient of 3/2 (which is the same as 1.5) in front of O2 on the left side.
2 AI + (3/2) O2 --> AI2O3
Since coefficients must be whole numbers, we will multiply the entire equation by 2 to eliminate the fraction:
4 AI + 3 O2 --> 2 AI2O3
Now the equation is balanced, with 4 AI atoms and 6 O atoms on both sides.
Therefore, the balanced equation is:
4 AI + 3 O2 --> 2 AI2O3