Step-by-step explanation:
We have to balance the following equation:
__ H₂O + __ F₂ -------> __ HF + __ O₂
First we have to determine the number of atoms of each element that we have on both sides of the equation.
__ H₂O + __ F₂ -------> __ HF + __ O₂
O: 1 O: 2
H: 2 H: 1
F: 2 F: 1
We have 2 atoms of O on the right side and 1 atom of O on the left side. To balance the O atoms we can change the coefficient for H₂O and write a 2 in front of it.
2 H₂O + __ F₂ -------> __ HF + __ O₂
O: 2 O: 2
H: 4 H: 1
F: 2 F: 1
Then we have 4 atoms of H on the left and 1 atom of H on the right side of the equation. We can change the coefficient for HF to balance the H atoms.
2 H₂O + __ F₂ -------> 4 HF + __ O₂
O: 2 O: 2
H: 4 H: 4
F: 2 F: 4
And finally we have 2 atoms of F on the left and 4 atoms of F on the right. We can change the coefficient for F₂ and write a 2 there.
2 H₂O + 2 F₂ -------> 4 HF + __ O₂
O: 2 O: 2
H: 4 H: 4
F: 4 F: 4
The equation is balanced.
Answer: 2 H₂O + 2 F₂ -------> 4 HF + O₂