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Balance the chemical equation: Zn+HNO3 =Zn(NO3​)2+NH4NO3+H2O

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

1 Answer

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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.

User Daniel Hornik
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