Question 7.CC.1: Balance the following chemical equation: SnCl4(s) + H2O(l)→S......
Balance the following chemical equation:
SnCl _4(s)+ H _2 O (l) \longrightarrow Sn ( OH )_4(s)+ HCl (a q) \quad \text { Not balanced }When we compare the atoms on the reactant side and the product side, we see that there are more Cl atoms in the reactants and more O and H atoms in the products.
To balance the equation, we need to use coefficients in front of the formulas containing the Cl atoms, H atoms, and O atoms.
• Place a 4 in front of the formula HCl to give 8 H atoms and 4 Cl atoms in the products.
SnCl _4(s)+ H _2 O (l) \longrightarrow Sn ( OH )_4(s)+4 HCl (a q)
• Place a 4 in front of the formula H_2O to give 8 H atoms and 4 O atoms in the reactants
SnCl _4(s)+4 H _2 O (l) \longrightarrow Sn ( OH )_4(s)+4 HCl (a q)
• The total number of Sn (1), Cl (4), H (8), and O (4) atoms is now equal on both sides of the equation. Thus, this equation is balanced.