How do you balance the equation NH3 + CuO > Cu + H2O + N2
I notice N goes from -3 to zero oxidation state, and Cu goes from +2 to zero.
so it takes 2N for each 3Cu.
2NH3+3CuO>> 3Cu + 3H2O + N2
2NH3 + 3Cuo -----> 3Cu + 3H2O +N2
To balance the equation NH3 + CuO > Cu + H2O + N2, you need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here's how you can balance this equation step-by-step:
1. Start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
On the left side:
- Nitrogen (N): 1 atom
- Hydrogen (H): 3 atoms
- Oxygen (O): 1 atom
- Copper (Cu): 1 atom
On the right side:
- Nitrogen (N): 1 atom
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms
- Oxygen (O): 1 atom
- Copper (Cu): 1 atom
2. Balance the elements in the equation one by one, starting with the elements that appear in the fewest compounds.
Let's start with hydrogen (H) and balance it by adding a coefficient in front of H2O on the right side. This will give us:
NH3 + CuO > Cu + 2H2O + N2
Now, the hydrogen atoms are balanced, with 6 on both sides of the equation.
3. Next, balance the nitrogen (N) atoms by adding a coefficient of 2 in front of NH3 on the left side:
2NH3 + CuO > Cu + 2H2O + N2
Now, there are two nitrogen atoms on both sides of the equation.
4. Finally, balance the remaining element, copper (Cu). We already have one copper atom on each side of the equation, so copper is already balanced.
The final balanced equation is:
2NH3 + CuO > Cu + 2H2O + N2
By following these steps, you can balance the equation NH3 + CuO > Cu + H2O + N2.