Question

What is the balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) into its elements, aluminum (Al) and chlorine gas (Cl₂)?

(a) AlCl₃ → Al + Cl₂
(b) 2AlCl₃ → 2Al + 3Cl₂
(c) AlCl₃ + 3Cl₂ → 2Al + 6Cl₂
(d) 2AlCl₃ + 3Cl₂ → 4Al + 6Cl₂

Answer 1

The correct balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of aluminum chloride into aluminum and chlorine gas is 2AlCl₃ → 2Al + 3Cl₂.

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) into aluminum (Al) and chlorine gas (Cl₂) is option (b): 2AlCl₃ → 2Al + 3Cl₂. To balance the equation, we need to ensure that there are equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the reaction. Starting with 2 moles of AlCl₃, the decomposition yields 2 moles of Al and 3 moles of Cl₂ since each AlCl₃ contains 3 Cl atoms.