Lexi is balancing equations. She is finding one equation to be very difficult to balance. Which explains how to balance the equation ZnSO4 + Li2CO3 → ZnCO3 + Li2SO4?

Question

One reactant and one product needs the coefficient 2.
The products both need a 3 coefficient.
The reactants both need a 2 coefficient.
Atoms in the equation are already in balance.

Answer 1

To balance the equation ZnSO4 + Li2CO3 → ZnCO3 + Li2SO4, let's analyze the equation step by step:

1. Count the atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:

   • Reactants:

     • Zn: 1 (from ZnSO4)
     • S: 1 (from ZnSO4)
     • O: 4 (from ZnSO4) + 3 (from Li2CO3) = 7 total
     • Li: 2 (from Li2CO3)
     • C: 1 (from Li2CO3)

   • Products:

     • Zn: 1 (from ZnCO3)
     • C: 1 (from ZnCO3)
     • O: 3 (from ZnCO3) + 4 (from Li2SO4) = 7 total
     • Li: 2 (from Li2SO4)
     • S: 1 (from Li2SO4)

2. Now compare the number of atoms of each element on both sides:

   • Zn: 1 on both sides
   • S: 1 on both sides
   • O: 7 on both sides
   • Li: 2 on both sides
   • C: 1 on both sides

3. Identify the balanced components: The counts show that all elements are already balanced as they appear in equal quantities on both sides of the equation.

Based on this analysis, the correct explanation for the balancing is: "Atoms in the equation are already in balance."

Therefore, no coefficients are needed to balance this equation; it is already balanced as written.