help balance HNO2+HNO3
To balance the chemical equation HNO2 + HNO3, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Here's a step-by-step explanation of how to balance the equation:
Step 1: Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. In this case, we have:
On the left side (reactants):
- H: 2 hydrogen atoms
- N: 2 nitrogen atoms
- O: 2 oxygen atoms
On the right side (products):
- H: 2 hydrogen atoms
- N: 2 nitrogen atoms
- O: 3 oxygen atoms
Step 2: Balance the elements that appear in more than one compound. In this case, nitrogen (N) appears in both HNO2 and HNO3.
To balance the nitrogen atoms, we can place a coefficient of 2 in front of HNO2, and a coefficient of 1 in front of HNO3:
2 HNO2 + HNO3
Now, we have:
On the left side (reactants):
- H: 4 hydrogen atoms (2 from HNO2 + 2 from HNO3)
- N: 4 nitrogen atoms (2 from HNO2 + 2 from HNO3)
- O: 4 oxygen atoms (2 from HNO2 + 2 from HNO3)
On the right side (products):
- H: 2 hydrogen atoms
- N: 2 nitrogen atoms
- O: 3 oxygen atoms
Step 3: Balance the remaining element, oxygen (O), by placing a coefficient in front of one of the reactants or products.
To balance the oxygen atoms, we need to add a coefficient of 2 in front of HNO3:
2 HNO2 + 2 HNO3
Now, we have:
On the left side (reactants):
- H: 4 hydrogen atoms
- N: 4 nitrogen atoms
- O: 6 oxygen atoms (2 from HNO2 + 4 from HNO3)
On the right side (products):
- H: 2 hydrogen atoms
- N: 2 nitrogen atoms
- O: 6 oxygen atoms
The balanced equation for the reaction HNO2 + HNO3 is:
2 HNO2 + 2 HNO3
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.