Final answer:
To balance the gold(III) oxide decomposition reaction, place appropriate coefficients before the chemical formulas to ensure the same number of atoms on both sides, resulting in the balanced equation 5Au2O3 → 8Au + 3O2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is about balancing a chemical equation, specifically converting gold(III) oxide (Au2O3) to elemental gold (Au) and diatomic oxygen gas (O2). To balance the equation given in the prompt, we use coefficients to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the reaction. This process requires practice with stoichiometry skills.
Example of Balancing the Chemical Equation:
5Au2O3 → 8Au + 3O2
By placing the correct coefficients, we can see that this equation is now balanced with 10 gold atoms and 15 oxygen atoms on both sides. Remember, it's essential to always check your work by counting the atoms for each element to confirm that the equation is indeed balanced.