Final answer:
To balance the chemical equation NaBr + CaF₂ = NaF + CaBr₂, it becomes 2NaBr + CaF₂ = 2NaF + CaBr₂, ensuring both sides have an equal number of atoms for each element.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemical Equation Balancing
Chemical equations must be balanced to reflect the conservation of mass, indicating that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Let's balance the given chemical equation:
NaBr + CaF₂ = NaF + CaBr₂
To balance this equation, we need two Na atoms on both sides which gives us two NaF on the right. Therefore, we also need two Br atoms on the right, resulting in one CaBr₂ since each molecule has two Br atoms. Balancing this we get:
2NaBr + CaF₂ = 2NaF + CaBr₂
This equation is now balanced with respect to the number of atoms of each element on both sides.