NaOH (s) + H2O (l) -----> NaOH (aq)
I`m having a hard time balancing this. Can you even balance this?
It is not going to balance unless you add H2 as a product.
Thankyou :)
Yes, it is possible to balance this equation. To balance a chemical equation, we need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
In the given equation:
NaOH (s) + H2O (l) → NaOH (aq)
We can start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Currently, there is 1 sodium (Na) atom, 1 oxygen (O) atom, and 1 hydrogen (H) atom on the left side of the equation (reactants). On the right side (products), there is 2 sodium (Na) atoms, 2 oxygen (O) atoms, and 2 hydrogen (H) atoms.
To balance the equation, we can adjust the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas. Let's go step by step:
1. Start by balancing the atoms that appear in only one compound on each side of the equation. In this case, we have NaOH (s) on the left and NaOH (aq) on the right. To balance the Na atom, we can place a coefficient of 2 in front of NaOH (aq):
NaOH (s) + H2O (l) → 2 NaOH (aq)
Now, we have 2 sodium (Na) atoms balanced on both sides.
2. Next, balance the oxygens (O) by adding a coefficient in front of H2O. Since there are 2 oxygen atoms in water, we need 2 water molecules on the left side:
NaOH (s) + 2 H2O (l) → 2 NaOH (aq)
With this change, we have balanced the oxygen atoms as well: 2 on both sides.
3. Finally, balance the hydrogen atoms (H). Currently, there are 4 hydrogen atoms on the right side and only 2 on the left side. To balance it, we need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of NaOH (s):
2 NaOH (s) + 2 H2O (l) → 2 NaOH (aq)
Now, both sides of the equation have 4 hydrogen atoms.
The balanced chemical equation is:
2 NaOH (s) + 2 H2O (l) → 2 NaOH (aq)
Remember, it is important to always check that all the atoms (of each element) are balanced on both sides of the equation.