Question

Balance each of these reactions and indicate the type of reaction each equation representsc) Zn + HCl → ZnCl2 + H2

Answer 1

- It is a single displacement reaction.

In its generic form it can be written as:

AB + C —> A + CB

- To balance this equation, first let's rewrite the equation:

Zn + HCl → ZnCl2 + H2

To balance the equation it is necessary to have the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation (reactant side and product side). Let's count the number of atoms of each element for the unbalanced equation: Zn + HCl → ZnCl2 + H2

Reactant side:

Zn - 1

H - 1

Cl - 1

Products side:

Zn - 1

Cl - 2

H - 2

As you can see, chloride and hydrogen number of atoms are not equal on both sides of the equation. Let's balance it by changing the stoichiometric coefficient.

Zn + 2 HCl → ZnCl2 + H2

Let's count the number of atoms of each element for the balanced equation.

Reactant side:

Zn - 1

H - 2

Cl - 2

Products side:

Zn - 1

H - 2

Cl - 2

Now the equation is balanced.

Answer: Zn + 2 HCl → ZnCl2 + H2; single displacement reaction.