Question

Consider these chemical equations.

N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) → 2NH₃(g)
C(s) + 2H₂(g) → CH₄(g)
4H₂(g) + 2C(s) + N₂(g) → 2HCN(g) + 3H₂(g)

Which equation(s) do you need to reverse in order to calculate the overall equation for the formation of HCN and H₂ from NH₃ and CH₄?

Answer 1

To find the overall equation for HCN and H₂ formation from NH₃ and CH₄, you need to reverse the first two equations where NH₃ and CH₄ are products, so that they become reactants.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the overall equation for the formation of HCN and H2 from NH3 and CH4, you must first understand the stoichiometry of the given reactions. The first equation shows the formation of NH3 from N2 and H2. The second equation describes the production of CH4 from C and H2. The third equation involves synthesizing HCN using N2, H2, and C as reactants.

Our goal is to reverse the reactions that form NH3 and CH4 since we want to start with these as reactants and not end with them as products. Therefore, we need to reverse the first two equations:

• 2NH3(g) → N2(g) + 3H2(g)
• CH4(g) → C(s) + 2H2(g)

By reversing these equations, NH3 and CH4 are now reactants, and they can be combined with the third equation to find the overall equation for the formation of HCN and H2 from NH3 and CH4.