Question

Determine if the following equation is balanced:

NaCl+F2 = NaF+Cl2

Answer 1

To determine if the chemical equation \( \text{NaCl} + \text{F}_2 \rightarrow \text{NaF} + \text{Cl}_2 \) is balanced, we need to compare the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

**Reactants:**
- \( \text{NaCl} \) consists of 1 sodium (Na) atom and 1 chlorine (Cl) atom.
- \( \text{F}_2 \) consists of 2 fluorine (F) atoms.

So, the total number of atoms in the reactants is:
- Sodium (Na): 1
- Chlorine (Cl): 1
- Fluorine (F): 2

**Products:**
- \( \text{NaF} \) consists of 1 sodium (Na) atom and 1 fluorine (F) atom.
- \( \text{Cl}_2 \) consists of 2 chlorine (Cl) atoms.

So, the total number of atoms in the products is:
- Sodium (Na): 1
- Chlorine (Cl): 2
- Fluorine (F): 1

**Comparison:**
- Sodium (Na): 1 on both sides
- Chlorine (Cl): 1 (reactants) vs. 2 (products)
- Fluorine (F): 2 (reactants) vs. 1 (products)

Since the number of chlorine and fluorine atoms does not match on both sides, the equation is **not balanced**.

To balance it, one possible way would be to adjust the coefficients:

\[ 2 \, \text{NaCl} + \text{F}_2 \rightarrow 2 \, \text{NaF} + \text{Cl}_2 \]

Now, let's count again:

**New Reactants:**
- \( 2 \, \text{NaCl} \): 2 Na and 2 Cl
- \( \text{F}_2 \): 2 F

**Total for Reactants:**
- Na: 2
- Cl: 2
- F: 2

**New Products:**
- \( 2 \, \text{NaF} \): 2 Na and 2 F
- \( \text{Cl}_2 \): 2 Cl

**Total for Products:**
- Na: 2
- Cl: 2
- F: 2

Now the equation is balanced.