Balance the following chemical equation.
__Fe(OH)2 (s) + __H3PO4 (aq) -> __Fe3(PO4)2 (s) + __ H2O (l)
Would it be 3 Fe(OH)2 (s) + 2 H3PO4 (aq) -> 1 Fe3(PO4)2 (s) + 6 H2O (l) ?
yes.
To balance the chemical equation, you need to make sure that there is an equal number of atoms on both sides. Here's the step-by-step process for balancing the equation:
1. Start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Left side: 1 Fe, 2 H, 2 O, 3 P
Right side: 3 Fe, 8 H, 2 O, 2 P
2. Begin balancing the equation by adjusting the coefficients (the numbers in front of each compound) while considering the number of atoms for each element.
a. Balance the Fe atoms by placing a coefficient of 3 in front of Fe(OH)2 on the left side.
3 Fe(OH)2 (s) + __H3PO4 (aq) -> __Fe3(PO4)2 (s) + __ H2O (l)
Now we have: 3 Fe
b. Balance the P atoms by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of H3PO4 on the left side.
3 Fe(OH)2 (s) + 2 H3PO4 (aq) -> __Fe3(PO4)2 (s) + __ H2O (l)
Now we have: 3 Fe, 2 P
c. Balance the H atoms next. Since there are 2 hydroxide (OH) groups on the left side, you need 6 H atoms on the right side to balance them. Place a coefficient of 6 in front of H2O on the right side.
3 Fe(OH)2 (s) + 2 H3PO4 (aq) -> __Fe3(PO4)2 (s) + 6 H2O (l)
Now we have: 3 Fe, 2 P, 6 H
3. Finally, check for the oxygen (O) atoms. On the left side, there are 2 from OH groups and none from H3PO4, so we have 2 O atoms. On the right side, there are 4 O atoms from Fe3(PO4)2 and 6 O atoms from H2O, giving us 10 O atoms in total. To balance this, place a coefficient of 5 in front of Fe3(PO4)2 on the right side.
3 Fe(OH)2 (s) + 2 H3PO4 (aq) -> 5 Fe3(PO4)2 (s) + 6 H2O (l)
Now we have: 3 Fe, 2 P, 6 H, 10 O
Therefore, the balanced equation is:
3 Fe(OH)2 (s) + 2 H3PO4 (aq) -> 5 Fe3(PO4)2 (s) + 6 H2O (l)