Question

I need to learn how to balance this equation, but I am having trouble with it. Can you help me?__Zn + __HC2H3O2 → __Zn(CH3COO)2 + __H2

Answer 1

To balance a equation, we need to have the same number of atoms of each elements on both sides of the chemical reaction (reactant and product side).

I rewrote this substance(Zn(CH3COO)2) for better understanding.

__Zn + __HC2H3O2 → __Zn(C2H3O2)2 + __H2

Reactant side unbalanced:

Zn - 1

H - 4

C - 2

O - 2

Products side unbalanced:

Zn - 1

C - 4

H - 8

O - 4

Obs: when there is a part inside the parentheses, all the atoms are multiplied by the number outside the parentheses.

Now let's balance the equation changing the stoichiometric coefficient.

Zn + 2 HC2H3O2 → Zn(C2H3O2)2 + H2

Reactant side:

Zn - 1

H - 8

C - 4

O - 4

Product side:

Zn - 1

H - 8

C - 4

O - 4

Now the equation is balanced.

Answer: Zn + 2 HC2H3O2 → Zn(C2H3O2)2 + H2