Question

Find the value of X in the following equation:

$4N{O}_2+2H_{2}O+O_2\to$ $XHN{O}_3$

• A. 4

Answer 1

The correct option is A 4
In the given reaction nitrogen dioxide dissolves in water in the presence of oxygen to form nitric acid.
The number of atoms of the elements in the product and reactant side is as follows:
$$\begin{array}{ccc}\text{Element}& \text{L.H.S}& \text{R.H.S}\\ \text{Nitrogen}& \text{4}& \text{1}\\ \text{Oxygen}& \text{12}& \text{3}\\ \text{Hydrogen}& \text{4}& \text{1}\end{array}$$
Comparing the both, RHS is 4 times lesser than LHS
thus by taking X =4 the equation will be balanced.

$4N{O}_2+2H_{2}O+O_2\to$ $4HN{O}_3$
The atoms of the elements after balancing is:
$$\begin{array}{ccc}\text{Element}& \text{L.H.S}& \text{R.H.S}\\ \text{Nitrogen}& \text{4}& \text{4}\\ \text{Oxygen}& \text{12}& \text{12}\\ \text{Hydrogen}& \text{4}& \text{4}\end{array}$$
Therefore, the value of X is 4.