Question

Balance the word equation then determine the sum of all coefficients.

Gallium metal reacts with chlorine gas to produce gallium chloride. The sum of all coefficients in the balanced equation is ____?

Answer 1

The sum of all coefficients = 7

Further explanation

Given

The word equation

Required

The sum of all coefficients

Solution

The chemical equation can be expressed in terms of:

• word equation
• skeleton equation
• balanced equation

Convert the word equation into a chemical equation(skeleton) :

Ga + Cl₂ → GaCl₃

Balanced equation

2Ga + 3Cl₂ → 2GaCl₃

The sum of all coefficients :

= 2+3+2

= 7