Question

An unbalanced chemical equation is shown below:

$a{H}_{3}B{O}_3\to b{B}_2{O}_3+c{H}_{2}O$

What are the coefficients(a,b,c) of a balanced equation?

• A. 2,1,3
• B. 3,1,2
• C. 2,2,3
• D. 3,2,2

Answer 1

The correct option is A 2,1,3

The coefficients of the reactants and products are mentioned.

$H_{3}B{O}_3=a,B_2{O}_3=b,H_{2}O=c$

Equating the number of elements on both the reactant and product side:

for Hydrogen 3a = 2c,

for Boron a = 2b

for Oxygen 3a = 3b + c

On solving three equations, we get a = 1, b $=\frac{1}{2},c=\frac{3}{2}$

Multiplying a, b, c with 2 gives a = 2, b = 1, c = 3