Question

Which is the next logical step in balancing the given equation?

N2 + O2 → NO2

A. Place the coefficient 2 in front of oxygen and nitrogen dioxide.
B. Place the coefficient 3 in front of oxygen and nitrogen dioxide.
C. The equation is already balanced.
D. Change the subscript of the nitrogen molecule to 1.

Answer 1

To balance the given equation, we apply elemental balance and count each elements per side. There are 2 nitrogens in the left side so there should be 2 moles of NO2. Since there are already 4 moles of O in the right side, there should be 2 moles of O2. Hence answer is a. Place the coefficient 2 in front of oxygen and nitrogen dioxide.

Answer 2

A. Place the coefficient 2 in front of oxygen and nitrogen dioxide.

Step-by-step explanation:

Balancing equations is a consequence of the law

of conservation of mass, according to this law, the mass of the reactants must be equal to the mass of the products, this means that the quantity of the atoms found in the reactants must be equal to the quantity of the products In this case, for the equation to be balanced, a coefficient of 2 must be added to oxygen and nitrogen dioxide.