Final answer:
To balance the equation Al + HCl → H₂ + AlCl₃, start by balancing Cl with a coefficient of 3 before HCl. Then balance H by placing a coefficient of 3/2 in front of H₂. Finally, clear the fraction by multiplying all coefficients by 2, giving the balanced equation: 2Al + 6HCl → 3H₂ + 2AlCl₃.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steps to Balance the Chemical Equation: Al + HCl → H₂ + AlCl₃
To balance the given chemical equation, you need to ensure that there are equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Let's go step by step.
Write down the unbalanced equation: Al + HCl → H₂ + AlCl₃.
Start by balancing atoms that appear in only one reactant and one product. In this case, aluminum (Al) appears once on each side, so we will look at hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl) next.
Since each molecule of HCl contains one hydrogen atom and one chlorine atom, and AlCl₃ contains three chlorine atoms, we need to balance chlorine first. Placing a coefficient of 3 before HCl will balance the chlorine:
Al + 3HCl → H₂ + AlCl₃.
Now we have three hydrogen atoms on the reactant side from HCl, but only two on the product side in H₂. To balance hydrogen, place a coefficient of 3/2 in front of H₂:
Al + 3HCl → 3/2H₂ + AlCl₃.
We avoid fractions in final balanced equations, so multiply all coefficients by 2 to clear the fraction:
2Al + 6HCl → 3H₂ + 2AlCl₃.
Double-check that the elements are balanced: There are 2 Al, 6 H, and 6 Cl atoms on both sides now.
Ensure that the coefficients are in the simplest whole-number ratio. No further adjustments are needed.
The balanced chemical equation is 2Al + 6HCl → 3H₂ + 2AlCl₃.