I need to find a balanced chemical equation for the reaction that occurs when sodium cyanide dissolves in water. So far I have got

Question

NaCN + H2O = HCN +NaOH, does not seem balanced to me, any help please.

Can't you tell if it is balanced or not? It's a matter of counting the atoms on one side vs the other side.
I see 1 Na atom on the left and 1 on the right.
I see 1 CN ion on the left and one on the right.
I see 2 H atoms on the left and 2 (1 from HCl and 1 from NaOH) on the right.
I see 1 O atom on the left and 1 on the right.
Looks balanced to me.

Thanks for that, just wanted to double check.

Answer 1

hi.
it`s balanced.