how to balance this equation?
(NH4)2Cr2O7 ---- Cr2O3 + N2 + H2O
plz tell step by step.i m a beginner
This a redox equation but the loss and gain of electrons is balanced. All we need to do is check the H and O.
There are 7 O atoms on the left. We have 3 in Cr2O3, we need 4 more so place a 4 as a coefficient for H2O. That should balance it. Check it atom by atom.
To balance the given chemical equation (NH4)2Cr2O7 → Cr2O3 + N2 + H2O, follow these step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Count the number of atoms on both sides of the equation.
On the left-hand side (LHS):
→ 2 nitrogen (N) atoms
→ 14 hydrogen (H) atoms
→ 7 oxygen (O) atoms
→ 2 chromium (Cr) atoms
On the right-hand side (RHS):
→ 2 chromium (Cr) atoms
→ 3 oxygen (O) atoms
→ 2 nitrogen (N) atoms
→ 2 hydrogen (H) atoms
Step 2: Balance the atoms that appear in unequal numbers first.
In this equation, we can start with nitrogen (N) atoms and balance them.
LHS: 2(NH4)2Cr2O7 → ...
RHS: ... + N2 + ...
To balance nitrogen, add a coefficient of 7 to N2.
LHS: 2(NH4)2Cr2O7 → ...
RHS: ... + 7N2 + ...
The equation now becomes:
(NH4)2Cr2O7 → 2Cr2O3 + 7N2 + H2O
Step 3: Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms.
LHS: 2(NH4)2Cr2O7 → ...
RHS: ... + H2O
To balance hydrogen, add a coefficient of 12 to H2O.
LHS: 2(NH4)2Cr2O7 → ...
RHS: ... + H2O + 7N2
The equation now becomes:
(NH4)2Cr2O7 → 2Cr2O3 + 7N2 + 12H2O
Step 4: Balance the oxygen (O) atoms.
LHS: 2(NH4)2Cr2O7 → ...
RHS: 2Cr2O3 + 12H2O
To balance oxygen, add a coefficient of 7 to (NH4)2Cr2O7.
7(NH4)2Cr2O7 → 2Cr2O3 + 7N2 + 12H2O
The equation is now balanced!
Please note that the equation balancing process may vary depending on the complexity of the equation. This step-by-step approach can help you balance most simple equations.