? CaSO_4 + AlCl_3 ---> CaCl_2 + Al_2(SO_4)_3
How do I balance this equation so that there are the same number of sulfate ions on both sides of the equation?
3CaSO4 + 2AlCl3 ==> 3CaCl2 + Al2(SO4)3
To balance the equation and ensure there is an equal number of sulfate (SO4^2-) ions on both sides, you need to adjust the coefficients in front of each chemical formula. Here's how you can go about it:
1. Start by counting the number of sulfate ions on each side of the equation. There are 1 sulfate ion on the left side and 3 sulfate ions on the right side, so they are currently not balanced.
2. To balance the sulfates, you can multiply the CaSO4 on the left side by 3, and the Al2(SO4)3 on the right side by 1. This will give you:
3CaSO4 + AlCl3 ---> CaCl2 + Al2(SO4)3
Now there are 3 sulfate ions on both sides.
3. Next, check if the other atoms in the equation are balanced. Count the number of calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), and aluminum (Al) atoms on both sides.
Left side: 3 calcium, 3 sulfur, 12 oxygen, 3 aluminum, and 9 chlorine atoms.
Right side: 2 calcium, 3 sulfur, 12 oxygen, 2 aluminum, and 6 chlorine atoms.
4. The aluminum (Al) and sulfur (S) atoms are now unbalanced. To balance the aluminum, you can multiply AlCl3 on the left side by 2, and Al2(SO4)3 on the right side by 3. This will give you:
3CaSO4 + 2AlCl3 ---> CaCl2 + 3Al2(SO4)3
Now, let's count the atoms again:
Left side: 3 calcium, 3 sulfur, 12 oxygen, 6 aluminum, and 6 chlorine atoms.
Right side: 2 calcium, 3 sulfur, 12 oxygen, 6 aluminum, and 6 chlorine atoms.
5. Now all the atoms are balanced, including the sulfate ions. The final balanced equation is:
3CaSO4 + 2AlCl3 ---> CaCl2 + 3Al2(SO4)3
Remember, when balancing equations, it's important to ensure that both the atoms and the charges are balanced on both sides.