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Question

Balance each one of the following chemical equations:

ZnNO32ZnO+NO2+O2


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Solution

Balanced chemical equations:

Chemical equations are balanced when the number of atoms on the reactant and product sides is equal. This is in accordance with the law of conservation of mass.

Balancing equations by trial and error method involves balancing the number of atoms by adding coefficients for reactants and products. These coefficients are called stoichiometric coefficients and give the relative amount of reactants and products in a reaction.

Decomposition of zinc nitrate:

The given reaction is an example of a decomposition reaction in which a single reactant breaks down into more than one product. Solid zinc nitrate Zn(NO3)2 on heating decomposes into solid zinc oxide ZnO and gases nitrogen dioxide NO2 and oxygen O2.

The reaction can be given as follows:

ZnNO32ZnO+NO2+O2

The equation is not balanced. The number of atoms on the reactant and product side is given below.

ElementOn reactant sideOn product side
Zn11
N21
O65

Balancing the given equation:

This equation is balanced by the trial and error method. The number of nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms is unbalanced in the equation. It is balanced by adding stoichiometric coefficients on the reactants and products. The state of the species is also mentioned in a balanced chemical equation.

Therefore, the balanced equation for the reaction is as follows:

2ZnNO32s2ZnOs+4NO2g+O2g


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