Question

Determine if the following equation is balanced:
4NH3+6NO = 5N2+6H2O

Answer 1

To determine if the equation \( 4NH_3 + 6NO = 5N_2 + 6H_2O \) is balanced, we need to count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

**Counting atoms on the left side:**
- \( NH_3 \): There are 4 molecules of ammonia.
- Nitrogen (N): \( 4 \times 1 = 4 \)
- Hydrogen (H): \( 4 \times 3 = 12 \)
- \( NO \): There are 6 molecules of nitric oxide.
- Nitrogen (N): \( 6 \times 1 = 6 \)
- Oxygen (O): \( 6 \times 1 = 6 \)

So, the total for the left side is:
- Nitrogen (N): \( 4 + 6 = 10 \)
- Hydrogen (H): \( 12 \)
- Oxygen (O): \( 6 \)

**Counting atoms on the right side:**
- \( N_2 \): There are 5 molecules of nitrogen gas.
- Nitrogen (N): \( 5 \times 2 = 10 \)
- \( H_2O \): There are 6 molecules of water.
- Hydrogen (H): \( 6 \times 2 = 12 \)
- Oxygen (O): \( 6 \times 1 = 6 \)

So, the total for the right side is:
- Nitrogen (N): \( 10 \)
- Hydrogen (H): \( 12 \)
- Oxygen (O): \( 6 \)

**Comparison of both sides:**
- Nitrogen (N): \( 10 \) (left) = \( 10 \) (right)
- Hydrogen (H): \( 12 \) (left) = \( 12 \) (right)
- Oxygen (O): \( 6 \) (left) = \( 6 \) (right)

Since the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides, the equation is balanced.

The equation \( 4NH_3 + 6NO = 5N_2 + 6H_2O \) is balanced.