Question

Balance the following equation:

Cu+HgNO3 = Cu(NO3)2+Hg

Answer 1

To balance the chemical equation \( \text{Cu} + \text{Hg(NO}_3\text{)}_2 \rightarrow \text{Cu(NO}_3\text{)}_2 + \text{Hg} \), we first write out the unbalanced equation:

\[
\text{Cu} + \text{Hg(NO}_3\text{)}_2 \rightarrow \text{Cu(NO}_3\text{)}_2 + \text{Hg}
\]

Next, identify the number of atoms of each element on both sides:

**Reactants:**
- Cu: 1
- Hg: 1
- N: 2 (from 2 \( \text{NO}_3 \))
- O: 6 (from 2 \( \text{NO}_3 \))

**Products:**
- Cu: 1 (from \( \text{Cu(NO}_3\text{)}_2 \))
- Hg: 1
- N: 2 (from \( \text{Cu(NO}_3\text{)}_2 \))
- O: 6 (from \( \text{Cu(NO}_3\text{)}_2 \))

Now, let's check for balance:

- Copper (Cu): 1 on both sides
- Mercury (Hg): 1 on both sides
- Nitrogen (N): 2 on both sides
- Oxygen (O): 6 on both sides

Since both sides have equal amounts of each element, the equation is already balanced.

Thus, the balanced equation is:

\[
\text{Cu} + \text{Hg(NO}_3\text{)}_2 \rightarrow \text{Cu(NO}_3\text{)}_2 + \text{Hg}
\]