Question

Write a balanced chemical equation based on the following description: Solid calcium hydroxide decomposes into solid calcium oxide and liquid water. Ca(OH)₂

(a) CaO (s) + H2O (l)
(b) Ca(OH)₂ (s) → CaO (s) + H2O (l)
(c) CaO (s) → Ca(OH)₂ (s) + H2O (l)
(d) 2Ca(OH)₂ (s) → 2CaO (s) + 2H2O (l)

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of solid calcium hydroxide into solid calcium oxide and liquid water is Ca(OH)2 (s) → CaO (s) + H2O (l). This equation is already balanced as written, with a one-to-one-to-one ratio of reactant to products, corresponding to the decomposition reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced chemical equation based on the provided description of solid calcium hydroxide decomposing into solid calcium oxide and liquid water is:

Ca(OH)2 (s) → CaO (s) + H2O (l)

This equation represents the decomposition reaction where solid calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is broken down into calcium oxide (CaO) and water (H2O). The balanced equation shows that one molecule of calcium hydroxide yields one molecule of calcium oxide and one molecule of water, consistent with the stoichiometry of this reaction.

Steps to Balance:

1. Write the unbalanced equation: Ca(OH)2 → CaO + H2O.
2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation to ensure they are equal.
3. Adjust coefficients if necessary to balance the equation (in this case, no adjustment is necessary).

Since the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation, the equation is already balanced as written.