_NaBr+_CaF2 = _NaF+_CaBr2

Find the coefficients to make both sides equal

1 answer

To balance the chemical equation \( \text{NaBr} + \text{CaF}_2 \rightarrow \text{NaF} + \text{CaBr}_2 \), we will determine the coefficients that make the number of each atom on the reactant side equal to the number on the product side.

  1. Write down the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

    • Reactants:

      • Na: 1 (from NaBr)
      • Br: 1 (from NaBr)
      • Ca: 1 (from CaF\(_2\))
      • F: 2 (from CaF\(_2\))
    • Products:

      • Na: 1 (from NaF)
      • Br: 2 (from CaBr\(_2\))
      • Ca: 1 (from CaBr\(_2\))
      • F: 1 (from NaF)
  2. Let's balance the bromine (Br) first:

    • We have 1 Br in NaBr and 2 Br in CaBr\(_2\). So we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of NaBr: \[ 2 \text{NaBr} + \text{CaF}_2 \rightarrow \text{NaF} + \text{CaBr}_2 \]
  3. Now the equation looks like this:

    • Reactants:

      • Na: 2 (from \(2\text{NaBr}\))
      • Br: 2 (from \(2\text{NaBr}\))
      • Ca: 1 (from CaF\(_2\))
      • F: 2 (from CaF\(_2\))
    • Products:

      • Na: 1 (from NaF)
      • Br: 2 (from CaBr\(_2\))
      • Ca: 1 (from CaBr\(_2\))
      • F: 1 (from NaF)
  4. We still need to balance sodium (Na) next. We have 2 Na in the reactants, so we need to add a coefficient of 2 in front of NaF: \[ 2 \text{NaBr} + \text{CaF}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{NaF} + \text{CaBr}_2 \]

  5. Now the final equation is:

    • Reactants:

      • Na: 2
      • Br: 2
      • Ca: 1
      • F: 2
    • Products:

      • Na: 2
      • Br: 2
      • Ca: 1
      • F: 2

Both sides are now balanced. The coefficients are: \[ \text{Final balanced equation:} \quad 2 \text{NaBr} + 1 \text{CaF}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{NaF} + 1 \text{CaBr}_2 \] or simplified: \[ 2 \text{NaBr} + \text{CaF}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{NaF} + \text{CaBr}_2 \]

So, the coefficients are:

  • 2 for NaBr
  • 1 for CaF\(_2\)
  • 2 for NaF
  • 1 for CaBr\(_2\)