when the following equation is balanced , what is the sum of the co-efficients?
AL2(SO4)^3+Ca(OH)2-->Al(OH)3+CaSO4
thanks ...will practice and practice and practice.....andy
I suck at balancing!!!!
Sorry Dr BOb you will have to take me on a slow journey on this one....Thanks andy
To balance the given chemical equation, you need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Let's go through the process of balancing the equation step by step:
1. Count the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation:
- For aluminum (Al), there are 2 atoms on the left and 1 atom on the right.
- For sulfur (S), there are 3 atoms on the left and 1 atom on the right.
- For oxygen (O), there are 12 atoms on the left and 3 atoms on the right.
- For calcium (Ca), there is 1 atom on the left and 1 atom on the right.
- For hydrogen (H), there are 2 atoms on the left and 3 atoms on the right.
2. Start by balancing the elements that appear in the fewest compounds. In this case, that would be Ca and Al. Since there is already one atom of each on both sides of the equation, they are already balanced.
3. Next, balance the elements that appear in more than one compound. Let's start with Sulfur (S):
- On the left side, there are 3 S atoms in Al2(SO4)3.
- To balance the Sulfur atoms on the right side, we need to have 3 S atoms in CaSO4 as well. Therefore, the coefficient in front of CaSO4 is 3.
4. Now, let's balance Hydrogen (H):
- On the left side, there are 2 H atoms in Ca(OH)2.
- To balance the Hydrogen atoms on the right side, we need to have 6 H atoms in Al(OH)3. Therefore, the coefficient in front of Al(OH)3 is 6.
5. Finally, let's balance Oxygen (O):
- On the left side, there are 4 O atoms in Ca(OH)2 and 12 O atoms in Al2(SO4)3, with a total of 16 O atoms.
- To balance the Oxygen atoms on the right side, we need to have 9 O atoms in Al(OH)3 and 4 O atoms in CaSO4, with a total of 13 O atoms.
- To achieve this, we can put a coefficient of 9/4 in front of Al(OH)3, and a coefficient of 13/4 in front of CaSO4.
The balanced equation becomes:
2Al2(SO4)3 + 3Ca(OH)2 --> 6Al(OH)3 + 3CaSO4
Now, to find the sum of the coefficients, simply add up the coefficients:
2 + 3 + 6 + 3 = 14
Therefore, the sum of the coefficients in the balanced equation is 14.
You don't need me to do this. Balance it and add the coefficients. Or if you're having trouble, explain the problem.
Al2(SO4)3 + Ca(OH)2-->Al(OH)3 + CaSO4
No. You need the practice. Here is how you start. Right off the bat I see 3 SO4 on the left so we stick a 3 for CaSO4. That takes care of a chunk. I would balance Al next, then count up H and balance them.