Question 3.13: Writing a Balanced Equation from a Molecular Scene Problem T......
Writing a Balanced Equation from a Molecular Scene
Problem The following molecular scenes depict an important reaction in nitrogen chemistry (nitrogen is blue; oxygen is red) (Fig 3.13):
Write a balanced equation for this reaction.
Plan To write a balanced equation, we first have to determine the formulas of the molecules and obtain coefficients by counting the number of each type of molecule. Then, we arrange this information in the correct equation format, using the smallest whole-number coefficients and including states of matter.
Solution The reactant circle shows only one type of molecule. It has two N and five O atoms, so the formula is N_2O_5; there are four of these molecules. The product circle shows two different types of molecules, one type with one N and two O atoms, and the other with two O atoms; there are eight NO_2 and two O_2. Thus, we have
4N_2O_5 ⟶ 8NO_2 + 2O_2Writing the balanced equation with the smallest whole-number coefficients and all substances as gases:
2N_2O_5(g) ⟶ 4NO_2(g) + O_2(g)Check Reactant (4 N, 10 O) ⟶ products (4 N, 8 + 2 = 10 O)