Multiple Choice
Which of the following chemical equations is correctly balanced?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Balancing Chemical Equations
Multiple Choice
When the following chemical equation is balanced, what are the correct coefficients for Sb, O_2, and Sb_4O_6?__ Sb + __ O_2 → __ Sb_4O_6
A
8 Sb + 6 O_2 → 2 Sb_4O_6
B
2 Sb + 3 O_2 → 1 Sb_4O_6
C
4 Sb + 3 O_2 → 1 Sb_4O_6
D
1 Sb + 2 O_2 → 1 Sb_4O_6
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the chemical species involved in the reaction: antimony (Sb), oxygen (O_2), and antimony oxide (Sb_4O_6). The goal is to balance the equation so that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
Write the unbalanced equation with coefficients as variables: \(a \, Sb + b \ O_2 \rightarrow c \ Sb_4O_6\).
Balance the antimony (Sb) atoms first. Since each molecule of \(Sb_4O_6\) contains 4 Sb atoms, the total Sb atoms on the product side is \$4c\(. Therefore, set \)a = 4c$ to balance Sb atoms.
Balance the oxygen (O) atoms next. Each \(O_2\) molecule has 2 oxygen atoms, and each \(Sb_4O_6\) molecule has 6 oxygen atoms. So, the total oxygen atoms on the reactant side is \$2b\(, and on the product side is \)6c\(. Set \)2b = 6c$ to balance oxygen atoms.
Choose the smallest whole number value for \(c\) (usually 1) and solve for \(a\) and \(b\) using the relationships \(a = 4c\) and \$2b = 6c$. This will give the balanced coefficients for Sb, O_2, and Sb_4O_6.
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