Question

Identify each of the following skeleton equations as representing a synthesis reaction, a combustion reaction, or decomposition reaction. Balance each equation
a. N2(g) + H2(g)~NH3(g)

Answer 1

The given skeleton equation is:

\[ \text{N}_2(g) + \text{H}_2(g) \rightarrow \text{NH}_3(g) \]

### Type of Reaction:
This equation represents a **synthesis reaction** (also known as a combination reaction) because two reactants, nitrogen (\( \text{N}_2 \)) and hydrogen (\( \text{H}_2 \)), combine to form a single product, ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \)).

### Balancing the Equation:
To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side equals the number on the product side.

1. On the left side, we have:
- Nitrogen: 2 (from \( \text{N}_2 \))
- Hydrogen: 2 (from \( \text{H}_2 \))

2. On the right side, in ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \)):
- Nitrogen: 1
- Hydrogen: 3

To balance nitrogen, we can place a coefficient of 2 in front of \( \text{NH}_3 \):

\[ \text{N}_2(g) + \text{H}_2(g) \rightarrow 2\text{NH}_3(g) \]

Now we have:
- Left side: Nitrogen: 2, Hydrogen: 2
- Right side: Nitrogen: 2 (from \( 2 \times 1 \)), Hydrogen: 6 (from \( 2 \times 3 \))

Next, to balance hydrogen, we need to adjust the coefficient in front of \( \text{H}_2 \) to 3:

\[ \text{N}_2(g) + 3\text{H}_2(g) \rightarrow 2\text{NH}_3(g) \]

Now let's confirm the balance:
- Left side: Nitrogen: 2, Hydrogen: 6 (3 from \( \text{H}_2 \times 2 \))
- Right side: Nitrogen: 2 (from \( 2 \times 1 \)), Hydrogen: 6 (from \( 2 \times 3 \))

### Final Balanced Equation:
The balanced equation for this synthesis reaction is:

\[ \text{N}_2(g) + 3\text{H}_2(g) \rightarrow 2\text{NH}_3(g) \]