Question

Balance the following chemical equation (if necessary): H₂SO₄(aq) + Pb(OH)₄(s) → Pb(SO₄)₂(s) + H₂0 (1)

Answer 1

To balance the chemical equation between H2SO4 and Pb(OH)4, one must ensure equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation resulting in the balanced equation: H2SO4(aq) + 2 Pb(OH)4(s) → 2 Pb(SO4)2(s) + 4 H2O(l).

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks to balance the chemical equation for the reaction between sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and lead(IV) hydroxide (Pb(OH)4). The balanced equation for this reaction is:

1. Write down the unbalanced equation: H2SO4(aq) + Pb(OH)4(s) → Pb(SO4)2(s) + H2O(l)
2. Balance the lead (Pb) atoms by ensuring there is one Pb atom on each side of the equation.
3. Balance the sulfate (SO42-) ions by making sure there are two sulfate ions on each side of the equation.
4. Balance the hydroxide (OH-) ions by noting that there are four OH groups in Pb(OH)4 and hence there should be four H2O molecules produced.
5. Finally, balance the hydrogen (H) atoms and optimize the coefficients to satisfy the stoichiometry of the reaction.

The correct balanced equation is: H2SO4(aq) + 2 Pb(OH)4(s) → 2 Pb(SO4)2(s) + 4 H2O(l)