I need to balance the following equation. I just want to make sure I', right:
Zn + HCl-> ZnCl2 + H2
Zn + 2HCl-> ZnCl2 + H2
yes that's right
Thank you
To balance the given chemical equation, follow these steps:
Step 1: Count the number of atoms on each side of the equation.
On the reactant side (left side):
- Zinc (Zn): 1 atom
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms (since 2HCl is present)
On the product side (right side):
- Zinc (Zn): 1 atom
- Chlorine (Cl): 2 atoms (since ZnCl2 is present)
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms (since H2 is present)
Step 2: Start by balancing the elements that appear in the least number on either side. In this case, it is Zinc (Zn).
- Add a coefficient of 1 in front of Zn on both sides:
Zn + 2HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2
Step 3: Next, balance the number of hydrogen atoms by adding coefficients.
- On the left side, there are 2 hydrogen atoms. But on the right side, there is only 1 hydrogen atom in H2. To balance this, add a coefficient of 2 in front of HCl on the left side:
Zn + 2HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2
Now, the number of hydrogen atoms is balanced on both sides.
Step 4: Finally, balance the number of chlorine atoms.
- On the left side, there are 2 chlorine atoms in 2HCl. But on the right side, there is only 2 chlorine atoms in ZnCl2. To balance this, the equation is already balanced.
The balanced equation is:
Zn + 2HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2