Final answer:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction given is 2 KOH(aq) + H2S(aq) → 2 H2O(l) + K2S(aq). The balancing process involves ensuring an equal number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked to balance the equation KOH(aq) + H₂S(aq) → H₂O(l) + K2S(aq). This chemical reaction represents an acid-base neutralization that forms water and a salt. For accurate balancing, we must ensure that the number of atoms for each element is equal in both the reactants and products.
Here is the balanced equation:
2 KOH(aq) + H₂S(aq) → 2 H₂O(l) + K2S(aq)
Steps to balance the equation:
- Write down the unbalanced equation: KOH(aq) + H₂S(aq) → H₂O(l) + K2S(aq)
- Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
- Adjust the coefficients to ensure the same number of each type of atom on both sides. In this case, you need two molecules of KOH to react with one molecule of H₂S to produce two molecules of H₂O and one molecule of K2S.
- Check that all elements are balanced.
The resulting balanced equation reflects the conservation of mass and charge.