To balance the chemical equation \( \text{N}_2 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{NO} \), we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
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Count the number of atoms:
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On the left side, we have:
- Nitrogen (N): 2 from \( \text{N}_2 \)
- Oxygen (O): 2 from \( \text{O}_2 \)
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On the right side, we have:
- Nitrogen (N): 1 from \( \text{NO} \)
- Oxygen (O): 1 from \( \text{NO} \)
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Balance the nitrogen atoms: To balance the nitrogen atoms, we need 2 nitric oxide (NO) molecules on the right side:
\[ \text{N}_2 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{NO} \]
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Recount the atoms:
- Left side:
- N: 2
- O: 2
- Right side:
- N: 2 (from \( 2 \text{NO} \))
- O: 2 (from \( 2 \text{NO} \))
- Left side:
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Balance the oxygen atoms: Since we now have 2 oxygen atoms on the right (from 2 NO) and 2 oxygen atoms on the left (from \( \text{O}_2 \)), the equation is balanced.
The balanced chemical equation is:
\[ \text{N}_2 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{NO} \]