Question

A student proposed that the balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

Pb(NO), +2Nal → Pbl, +2NaNO,
Determine whether this is a correctly balanced equation and give evidence for your conclusion.

Answer 1

The proposed balanced chemical equation is correct. Upon counting the atoms of each element on both sides, we find that there are equal numbers of Pb, NO3, Na, and I atoms, confirming that the equation is balanced.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proposed balanced chemical equation is Pb(NO3)2 + 2NaI → PbI2 + 2NaNO3. To determine if this equation is balanced, we must count and compare the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Let's take a look at the details:

• Reactants: 1 Pb atom, 2 NO3 ions, 2 Na atoms, 2 I atoms
• Products: 1 Pb atom, 2 Na atoms, 2 NO3 ions, 1 I2 molecule (which contains 2 I atoms)

Upon examination, we find that:

• Each side has the same number of Pb atoms (1).
• Each side has the same number of NO3 ions (2).
• Each side has the same number of Na atoms (2).
• Each side has the same number of I atoms (2).

Since the numbers of atoms for each element are the same on both the reactant and product sides, the chemical equation is indeed balanced.