Which equation is balanced?

Mg3N2 + H2O 3MgO + 2NH3
C3H8 + 5O2 H2O + 3CO2
Zn + 2HCl ZnCl2 + H2
3H2SO4 + 2Fe Fe2(SO4)3 + H2

1 answer

To determine which equation is balanced, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the reaction for each equation. Let's analyze each one:

  1. Mg3N2 + H2O → 3MgO + 2NH3

    • Left: 3 Mg, 2 N, 2 H (from H2O), 1 O
    • Right: 3 Mg, 2 N (from 2NH3), 6 H (from 2NH3), 3 O
    • Not balanced.
  2. C3H8 + 5O2 → H2O + 3CO2

    • Left: 3 C, 8 H, 10 O
    • Right: 3 C (from 3CO2), 2 H (from H2O), 6 O (from 3CO2), 1 O (from H2O)
    • Not balanced.
  3. Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2

    • Left: 1 Zn, 2 H, 2 Cl
    • Right: 1 Zn, 2 Cl (from ZnCl2), 2 H
    • Balanced!
  4. 3H2SO4 + 2Fe → Fe2(SO4)3 + H2

    • Left: 6 H, 3 S, 8 O, 2 Fe
    • Right: 2 Fe, 3 S (from Fe2(SO4)3), 12 O (from 3 SO4), 2 H
    • Not balanced.

The only equation that is balanced is:

Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2.