156k views
5 votes
Sodium sulfide (Na2S) reacts with silver nitrate (AgNO3) to form sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and silver sulfide (Ag2S). Write the balanced equation for this reaction.

A. 2Na2S + 3AgNO3 → 2NaNO3 + 3Ag2S
B. Na2S + 2AgNO3 → 2NaNO3 + Ag2S
C. 2Na2S + 2AgNO3 → 2NaNO3 + Ag2S
D. Na2S + 3AgNO3 → 3NaNO3 + Ag2S

1 Answer

5 votes

Final Answer:

The balanced equation for the reaction between Na2S and AgNO3 can be determined by applying the rules of balancing chemical equations.Thus correct option is D. Na2S + 3AgNO3 → 3NaNO3 + Ag2S

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced equation for the reaction between Na2S and AgNO3 can be determined by applying the rules of balancing chemical equations. First, write down the unbalanced equation:

Na2S + AgNO3 → NaNO3 + Ag2S

To balance the equation, start by counting the atoms of each element on both sides. There are 2 sodium (Na) atoms on the left and only 1 on the right. To balance sodium, place a coefficient of 3 in front of NaNO3:

Na2S + AgNO3 → 3NaNO3 + Ag2S

Now, there are 3 sodium atoms on both sides. However, this introduces 3 nitrate ions (NO3-) on the right, which leads to an imbalance of nitrate ions. Adjust by placing a coefficient of 3 in front of AgNO3:

Na2S + 3AgNO3 → 3NaNO3 + Ag2S

This balances the sodium, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms, but now there are 3 silver (Ag) atoms on the left and only 1 on the right. To balance silver, place a coefficient of 3 in front of Ag2S:

Na2S + 3AgNO3 → 3NaNO3 + 3Ag2S

To simplify the equation and maintain the lowest whole-number coefficients, divide all coefficients by their greatest common divisor, which in this case is 3:

Na2S + 3AgNO3 → 3NaNO3 + Ag2S

Therefore, the balanced equation is Na2S + 3AgNO3 → 3NaNO3 + Ag2S, corresponding to option D.

User Ankit Kumar Ojha
by
8.0k points