Question

Lexi is balancing equations. She is finding one equation to be very difficult to balance. Which explains how to balance the equation ZnSO4 + Li2CO3 → ZnCO3 + Li2SO4?

One reactant and one product needs the coefficient 2.
The products both need a 3 coefficient.
The reactants both need a 2 coefficient.
Atoms in the equation are already in balance.

Answer 1

Answer: Atoms in the equation are already balanced.

Step-by-step explanation:

ZnSO₄ + Li₂CO₃ ⇒ ZnCO₃ + Li₂SO₄

This appears to be a double displacement reaction.

Zn is paired with CO₃ on the right side, and Li is paired with SO₄ on the right side.

To balance this equation, we need to look at the number of each atom on both the left and right sides of the equation.

ZnSO₄ + Li₂CO₃ ⇒ ZnCO₃ + Li₂SO₄

Left side

Zn: 1

S: 1

O: 4 + 3 = 7

Li: 2

C: 1

Right side

Zn: 1

S: 1

O: 3 + 4 = 7

Li: 2

C: 1

The equation is balanced because there are the same number of each atom on the left and right sides of the equation.