How do you balance
Ca(OH)2 + HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + H2O
To balance the chemical equation Ca(OH)2 + HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + H2O, we need to make sure that the number of atoms on each side of the equation is equal. Here's how you can balance it step by step:
Step 1: Count the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.
On the left side (reactant side):
- Calcium (Ca): 1 atom
- Oxygen (O): 2 atoms (2 from Ca(OH)2 and 1 from HNO3)
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms (2 from Ca(OH)2)
- Nitrogen (N): 1 atom (from HNO3)
On the right side (product side):
- Calcium (Ca): 1 atom (from Ca(NO3)2)
- Oxygen (O): 6 atoms (2 from Ca(NO3)2 and 4 from H2O)
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms (from H2O)
- Nitrogen (N): 2 atoms (from Ca(NO3)2)
Step 2: Start by balancing the elements that appear in the fewest compounds. In this case, let's balance Calcium (Ca).
Since there is only 1 Ca atom on both sides, we don't need to make any changes to balance it.
Ca(OH)2 + HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + H2O
Step 3: Next, balance the elements that appear in the next fewest compounds. In this case, it's Hydrogen (H).
On the left side, there are 2 H atoms from Ca(OH)2, while on the right side, there are 2 H atoms from H2O. They are already balanced.
Ca(OH)2 + HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + H2O
Step 4: Now, balance the elements that appear in the remaining compounds. In this case, it's Oxygen (O) and Nitrogen (N).
On the left side, there are 2 O atoms from Ca(OH)2 and 1 O atom from HNO3, making a total of 3 O atoms. On the right side, there are 6 O atoms from Ca(NO3)2 and H2O. To balance the O atoms, we need to place a coefficient of 3 in front of H2O.
Ca(OH)2 + HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + 3H2O
Finally, to balance the Nitrogen (N) atoms, we need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of HNO3.
Ca(OH)2 + 2HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + 3H2O
And that's it! The balanced chemical equation is Ca(OH)2 + 2HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + 3H2O.