To balance the chemical equation involving silver nitrate (AgNO3), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), and zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3)2), we can follow these steps:
-
Write the unbalanced equation: \[ \text{AgNO}_3 (aq) + \text{Zn} (s) \rightarrow \text{Ag} (s) + \text{Zn(NO}_3\text{)}_2 (aq) \]
-
Count the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation:
- Reactants:
- Ag: 1 from AgNO3
- N: 1 from AgNO3
- O: 3 from AgNO3
- Zn: 1 from Zn
- Products:
- Ag: 1 from Ag
- N: 2 from Zn(NO3)2
- O: 6 from Zn(NO3)2
- Zn: 1 from Zn(NO3)2
- Reactants:
-
It's clear that we need to balance the nitrogen and oxygen atoms. We can start by observing that we need:
- 2 AgNO3 to provide 2 Ag and balance the nitrogen in Zn(NO3)2.
-
Now write the new equation: \[ 2\text{AgNO}_3 (aq) + \text{Zn} (s) \rightarrow 2\text{Ag} (s) + \text{Zn(NO}_3\text{)}_2 (aq) \]
-
Re-check to confirm both sides are balanced:
- On the left side:
- Ag: 2
- N: 2
- O: 6
- Zn: 1
- On the right side:
- Ag: 2
- N: 2
- O: 6
- Zn: 1
- On the left side:
Both sides are now balanced.
The balanced equation is: \[ \underline{2} \text{AgNO}_3 (aq) + \underline{1} \text{Zn} (s) \rightarrow \underline{2} \text{Ag} (s) + \underline{1} \text{Zn(NO}_3\text{)}_2 (aq) \]
Fill in the blanks:
- 2 (for AgNO3)
- 1 (for Zn)
- 2 (for Ag)
- 1 (for Zn(NO3)2)
So the coefficients used are:
- 2 for AgNO3
- 1 for Zn
- 2 for Ag
- 1 for Zn(NO3)2