Balance this chemical equation.
___ K(s) + ___H2O(1) >>>>> KOH(aq) + H2(g)
http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/water/potassium/potassium-and-water.htm
2 , 2 --> 2 , 1
To balance the chemical equation, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Start by counting the number of atoms on both sides of the equation.
On the left side, we have:
- Potassium (K): ___ K(s)
- Hydrogen (H): ___ H2O(1)
On the right side, we have:
- Potassium (K): KOH(aq)
- Hydrogen (H): H2(g)
Step 2: Balance the atoms one at a time.
Start by balancing the potassium (K) atoms. Since there are no potassium atoms on the left side, we can put a coefficient of 1 in front of KOH(aq):
- ___ K(s) + ___ H2O(1) >>>>> 1 KOH(aq) + H2(g)
Next, balance the hydrogen (H) atoms:
On the left side, there are 2 hydrogen atoms in water (H2O), so we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O(1):
- ___ K(s) + 2 H2O(1) >>>>> 1 KOH(aq) + H2(g)
Now, we have 4 hydrogen atoms on the right side, so we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of H2(g):
- ___ K(s) + 2 H2O(1) >>>>> 1 KOH(aq) + 2 H2(g)
Finally, balance the potassium (K) atoms:
Since there is 1 potassium atom on the right side, we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of K(s):
- 2 K(s) + 2 H2O(1) >>>>> 1 KOH(aq) + 2 H2(g)
So, the balanced chemical equation is:
- 2 K(s) + 2 H2O(1) >>>>> 1 KOH(aq) + 2 H2(g)
To balance this chemical equation, you need to make sure that the total number of each element on both sides of the equation is the same. Here's how you can balance it step by step:
Let's start with K (potassium) on both sides. On the left side, we have one potassium atom, so we need to have one potassium atom on the right side as well. You can add a coefficient of 2 in front of KOH to balance the potassium:
2 K(s) + ___H2O(1) >>>>> 2 KOH(aq) + H2(g)
Now let's move on to hydrogen (H). On the left side, we have two hydrogen atoms from H2O, and on the right side, we have two hydrogen atoms from KOH and one hydrogen atom from H2. In total, we have three hydrogen atoms on the right side which can be balanced by adding a coefficient of 3 in front of H2O:
2 K(s) + 3 H2O(1) >>>>> 2 KOH(aq) + H2(g)
Finally, let's check oxygen (O) on both sides. On the left side, we have three oxygen atoms from H2O, and on the right side, we have two oxygen atoms from KOH. To balance the oxygen, you can add a coefficient of 3/2 in front of KOH:
2 K(s) + 3 H2O(1) >>>>> 3/2 KOH(aq) + H2(g)
However, it's generally better to work with whole numbers, so to eliminate the fraction, you can multiply the whole equation by 2:
4 K(s) + 6 H2O(1) >>>>> 3 KOH(aq) + 2 H2(g)
Now the equation is balanced with equal numbers of atoms on both sides.