I'm having a lot of trouble balancing this chemical equation:
Fe(NO3)3(aq) + KSCN(aq) → KNO3(aq) + FeSCN2+(aq)
Also, I'm not even sure if the equation is right...
Help is appreciated, thanks
If you want it balanced, it would be
Fe(NO3)3 + KSCN ==> K^+ + 3NO3^- + FeSCN^+2
but this is usually an equation for the colorimetric determination of Fe and you only need
Fe^+3 + SCN^- ==> FeSCN^+2
You really don't care about the rest of the stuff.
Thanks :)
To balance a chemical equation, you need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here is a step-by-step guide to balancing the given equation:
1. Start by counting the number of atoms on each side of the equation. Make a note of any atoms that appear in only one reactant or product.
Fe(NO3)3(aq) + KSCN(aq) → KNO3(aq) + FeSCN2+(aq)
Fe: 1 0 0 1
K: 0 1 1 1
N: 3 0 1 1
O: 9 0 3 0
S: 0 1 0 1
C: 0 1 0 1
2. It is evident that the Fe, K, and N are already balanced. However, O, S, and C are not balanced.
3. Begin balancing with an element that appears in only one reactant or product. In this case, let's start with sulfur (S).
4. On the reactant side, there is one S atom in KSCN. On the product side, there is one S atom in FeSCN2+. Balance it out by placing a coefficient of 1 in front of KSCN.
Fe(NO3)3(aq) + KSCN(aq) → KNO3(aq) + FeSCN2+(aq)
Fe: 1 0 0 1
K: 0 1 1 1
N: 3 0 1 1
O: 9 0 3 0
S: 0 1 0 1
C: 0 1 0 1
5. Now, let's balance oxygen (O). On the reactant side, there are nine O atoms in Fe(NO3)3. On the product side, there are three O atoms in KNO3. Balance it out by placing a coefficient of 3 in front of KNO3.
Fe(NO3)3(aq) + KSCN(aq) → 3KNO3(aq) + FeSCN2+(aq)
Fe: 1 0 0 1
K: 0 1 3 1
N: 3 0 3 1
O: 9 0 9 0
S: 0 1 0 1
C: 0 1 0 1
6. Finally, balance carbon (C). On the reactant side, there is one C atom in KSCN. On the product side, there is one C atom in FeSCN2+. They are already balanced.
Fe(NO3)3(aq) + KSCN(aq) → 3KNO3(aq) + FeSCN2+(aq)
Fe: 1 0 0 1
K: 0 1 3 1
N: 3 0 3 1
O: 9 0 9 0
S: 0 1 0 1
C: 0 1 0 1
7. Double-check that all the elements are now balanced. In this case, they are, so the equation is balanced.
Fe(NO3)3(aq) + KSCN(aq) → 3KNO3(aq) + FeSCN2+(aq)
The balanced equation is:
Fe(NO3)3(aq) + KSCN(aq) → 3KNO3(aq) + FeSCN2+(aq)
Remember to double-check your work and make sure all the atoms are balanced.