Final answer:
The correct balanced chemical equation for the reaction of Zn with HNO3 to form Zn(NO3)2, NH4NO3, and H2O is option (d): 4Zn + 10HNO3 = 4Zn(NO3)2 + 5NH4NO3 + 5H2O. This is confirmed by ensuring that the number of each type of atom is equal on both sides of the equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To balance the given chemical equation Zn + HNO3 = Zn(NO3)2 + NH4NO3 + H2O, we need to ensure the same number of each type of atom appears on both sides of the equation. Below are the options provided:
- a) Zn + 4HNO3 = Zn(NO3)2 + 2NH4NO3 + H2O
- b) 2Zn + 6HNO3 = 2Zn(NO3)2 + 3NH4NO3 + 3H2O
- c) 3Zn + 8HNO3 = 3Zn(NO3)2 + 4NH4NO3 + 4H2O
- d) 4Zn + 10HNO3 = 4Zn(NO3)2 + 5NH4NO3 + 5H2O
Upon inspection, option (d) will balance the equation correctly, as the numbers of each element on both sides will be equal:
4 Zn + 10 HNO3 = 4 Zn(NO3)2 + 5 NH4NO3 + 5 H2O
Let's verify this by counting the atoms of each type on both sides:
- Zinc atoms: 4 on both sides
- Nitrogen atoms: 20 in the form of HNO3 on the reactant side and (4x2) + (5x2) = 18 from Zn(NO3)2 + 5 from NH4NO3, totaling 20 on the product side
- Hydrogen atoms: 10 in HNO3 on the reactant side and (5x4) from NH4NO3 + (5x2) in H2O, totaling 30 on the product side
- Oxygen atoms: (10x3) from HNO3 on the reactant side and (4x6) from Zn(NO3)2 + (5x3) from NH4NO3 + 5 from H2O, totaling 30 on the product side
Therefore, choice (d) 4Zn + 10HNO3 = 4Zn(NO3)2 + 5NH4NO3 + 5H2O is the correct balanced chemical equation.