Question

What should be the number of atoms of Tin in the balanced form of the equation below?

$A{s}_2{O}_3+SnC{l}_2+HCl\to SnC{l}_4+As+H_{2}O$

• A. 3
• B. 2
• C. 6
• D. 1

Answer 1

The correct option is A

3

For balancing chemical equation, the number of atoms of each element should be equal in reactant and product. The atoms of individual atoms on reactant and product side is shown in the table below.
$$\begin{array}{ccc}\text{Element}& \text{Reactant side}& \text{Product Side}\\ \text{As}& \text{2}& \text{1}\\ \text{Sn}& \text{1}& \text{1}\\ \text{Cl}& \text{3}& \text{4}\\ \text{H}& \text{1}& \text{2}\\ \text{O}& \text{3}& \text{1}\end{array}$$
Cl, O, As and H needed to be equalized by multiplying them in different steps

$A{s}_2{O}_3+SnC{l}_2+HCl\to SnC{l}_4+2As+3H_{2}O$ [Multiplying As by 2 and $H_{2}O$ by 3]

$A{s}_2{O}_3+SnC{l}_2+6HCl\to SnC{l}_4+2As+3H_{2}O$ [Multiplying HCl by 6 to equalize change in number of H atom ]

$A{s}_2{O}_3+3SnC{l}_2+6HCl\to 3SnC{l}_4+2As+3H_{2}O$ [Multiplying $SnC{l}_2$ and $SnC{l}_2$ by 3]

Hence,$A{s}_2{O}_3+3SnC{l}_2+6HCl\to 3SnC{l}_4+2As+3H_{2}O$

is the required balanced equation.