Question

Choose the coefficients that will correctly balance the following equation:

CaF2 + _Na3PO4 → _Ca3(PO4)2 + _NaF
a) 1, 1, 1,1
b) 3, 1, 1,3
c) 2,3,3,1
d) 3, 2, 1,6

Answer 1

The correct coefficients to balance the equation CaF2 + Na3PO4 → Ca3(PO4)2 + NaF are 3, 2, 1, 6 as this ensures that the number of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions are the same on both sides of the equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks to choose the coefficients that will correctly balance the following chemical equation: CaF2 + Na3PO4 → Ca3(PO4)2 + NaF.

To balance this equation, we start by looking at the calcium ions. We see that we need three calcium ions on both sides, so we'll need three CaF2 molecules to provide the necessary calcium. This gives us six fluorine atoms on the reactant side, which means we will need six NaF units to balance the fluorine atoms on the product side.

The correct coefficients to balance the phosphate groups and sodium atoms are as follows: 3 molecules of CaF2 will react with 2 molecules of Na3PO4 to produce 1 molecule of Ca3(PO4)2 and 6 molecules of NaF. So, the correct coefficients are 3, 2, 1, 6, which corresponds to option (d).