Balance the equation:
C3H5(NO3)3 ---> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2
4C3H5(NO3)3 ---> 12CO2 + 10H2O + 6N2 + O2
Check my thinking.
C3 H5 (NO3)3 = N2 + O2 + CO2 + H2O
To balance the equation:
C3H5(NO3)3 ---> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2
We can start by balancing the carbon and oxygen atoms. Since there are three carbon atoms on the left side, we need three carbon dioxide molecules on the right side:
C3H5(NO3)3 ---> 3CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2
Next, let's balance the hydrogen atoms. There are 5 hydrogen atoms in the nitrate groups on the left side, so we need 5 water molecules on the right side:
C3H5(NO3)3 ---> 3CO2 + 5H2O + N2 + O2
Now we can balance the nitrogen atoms. There are three nitrate groups on the left side, each containing one nitrogen atom. So, we need three nitrogen molecules on the right side:
C3H5(NO3)3 ---> 3CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + O2
Finally, let's balance the oxygen atoms. On the left side, we have 9 oxygen atoms from the nitrate groups and 2 oxygen atoms from the nitrate groups on the right side. Therefore, we need 11 oxygen molecules on the right side:
C3H5(NO3)3 ---> 3CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + 11O2
The balanced equation is:
C3H5(NO3)3 ---> 3CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + 11O2
To balance the equation C3H5(NO3)3 ---> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2, you need to make sure that there is an equal number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Here's the step-by-step process:
1. Start with the least abundant elements or the elements that appear once on each side. In this case, let's start with nitrogen (N) and find out how many atoms of nitrogen are on each side of the equation.
C3H5(NO3)3 --> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2
On the left side, there are three nitrogen atoms in the compound (NO3)3, while on the right side, there is only one nitrogen atom in N2. To balance the nitrogen atoms, we need to have three nitrogen atoms on the right side as well. Multiply N2 by 3:
C3H5(NO3)3 --> CO2 + H2O + 3N2 + O2
2. Next, let's balance the hydrogen (H) atoms. On the left side, there are 5 hydrogen atoms in C3H5, and on the right side, there are 2 hydrogen atoms in H2O. Multiply H2O by 5/2 to balance the hydrogen atoms:
C3H5(NO3)3 --> 5CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + O2
3. Now, let's balance the oxygen (O) atoms. On the left side, there are 3 oxygen atoms in (NO3)3, and on the right side, there are 10 oxygen atoms in 5CO2 and 5H2O. To balance the oxygen atoms, multiply CO2 and H2O by 3/10:
C3H5(NO3)3 --> (3/10)5CO2 + (3/10)5H2O + 3N2 + O2
Simplifying further:
C3H5(NO3)3 --> (3/2)CO2 + (3/2)H2O + 3N2 + O2
4. Finally, check if all the elements are balanced.
Left side:
- Carbon (C): 3 * 1 = 3
- Hydrogen (H): 5 * 3 + 5 * (3/2) = 22.5
- Nitrogen (N): 3 * 2 = 6
- Oxygen (O): 3 * 3 + 2 * (3/2) + 3 * 2 = 19.5
Right side:
- Carbon (C): 5 * (3/2) = 7.5
- Hydrogen (H): 5 * 2 = 10
- Nitrogen (N): 3 * 2 = 6
- Oxygen (O): 2 * 2 + 2 * 10 + 3 * 2 = 36
Since all elements are balanced, the final balanced equation is:
3C3H5(NO3)3 --> 5CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + O2