Question

2)
A student is trying to balance the reaction below.

N2 + H2 → NH3

They make two changes to the reaction and write this on their paper as their answer.
12 N2 + H3 → NH3


In what ways is the student incorrect? Be specific and answer in the space below.






What is the correct balanced reaction? Write it in the space below.


in short sentences

Answer 1

- They changed N2 to "12 N2" but left the product as NH3, so nitrogen atoms are not conserved.
- They wrote H3; elemental hydrogen is H2, not H3.
- They confused coefficients and subscripts (the "12" is a coefficient, not part of the chemical formula).
- The equation as written is not balanced for either nitrogen or hydrogen.

Correct balanced reaction: N2 + 3 H2 → 2 NH3.
(Left: N = 2, H = 6; Right: N = 2, H = 6.)