Question

Balance the chemical reaction by adding the correct coefficients.

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

Answer 1

To balance a chemical equation, you need to add coefficients in front of the formulas to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance a chemical equation, you need to add coefficients in front of the formulas to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here are the steps to balance a chemical equation:

1. Identify the most complex substance.
2. Choose an element that appears in only one reactant and one product, if possible, and adjust the coefficients to obtain the same number of atoms of this element on both sides.
3. Balance polyatomic ions as a unit (if present on both sides).
4. Balance the remaining atoms, starting with the least complex substance.
5. Check that the numbers of atoms of each kind on both sides of the equation are the same.

For example, if we have the equation C + H₂ → CH₁, we can see that the number of hydrogen atoms is not balanced. Adding a coefficient of 2 in front of H₂ will give us 4 hydrogen atoms on both sides of the equation, balancing it.