Step-by-step explanation:
We have to balance the following equation:
__ AlF₃ ---> ___ Al + __ F₂
First we have to determine the number of atoms of each element that we have on both sides of the equation.
__ AlF₃ ---> ___ Al + __ F₂
Al = 1 Al = 1
F = 3 F = 2
As we can see we have 1 atom of Al on both sides of the equation. Al is already balanced. Then, we have 3 atoms of F on the left side of the equation and 2 atoms of F on the right side of the equation. The coefficient for F₂ should be 3/2 to have the same number of F atoms on both sides.
__ AlF₃ ---> ___ Al + 3/2 F₂
Al = 1 Al = 1
F = 3 F = 3
But we can't have a fraction as coefficient. So make that fraction an entire number we can multuply all the coefficients by 2.
2 AlF₃ ---> 2 Al + 3 F₂
Al = 2 Al = 2
F = 6 F = 6
The balanced equation is:
2 AlF₃ ---> 2 Al + 3 F₂
Answer: 2 AlF₃ ---> 2 Al + 3 F₂