Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correctly balanced chemical equation for the reaction between hydrogen sulfide and oxygen among volcanic gases to produce sulfur dioxide and water?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Balancing Chemical Equations
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correctly balanced chemical equation for the reaction between aluminum and oxygen to form aluminum oxide?
A
2Al + 3O_2 → 2AlO_3
B
Al + O_2 → Al_2O_3
C
4Al + 3O_2 → 2Al_2O_3
D
2Al + O_2 → 2AlO
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction. Here, aluminum (Al) reacts with oxygen (O_2) to form aluminum oxide (Al_2O_3).
Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\mathrm{Al} + \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{Al}_2\mathrm{O}_3\).
Balance the aluminum atoms first. Since aluminum oxide contains 2 aluminum atoms, place a coefficient of 2 in front of \(\mathrm{Al}_2\mathrm{O}_3\) and 4 in front of Al to balance aluminum: \(4\mathrm{Al} + \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\mathrm{Al}_2\mathrm{O}_3\).
Balance the oxygen atoms next. On the product side, there are \(2 \times 3 = 6\) oxygen atoms, so place a coefficient of 3 in front of \(\mathrm{O}_2\) to have \(3 \times 2 = 6\) oxygen atoms on the reactant side: \(4\mathrm{Al} + 3\mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\mathrm{Al}_2\mathrm{O}_3\).
Verify that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation to confirm it is balanced.
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