Question

What is the coefficient of Ca(OH)2 in the equation Ca(OH)2 + HNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + H2O when balanced using the smallest possible coefficients?

Answer 1

The coefficient of Ca(OH)2 is 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: unbalanced equation

Ca(OH)2 + HNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + H2O

Step 2: Balancing the equation

On the right side we have 2x N (in Ca(NO3)2 ) and 1x N on the left side (in HNO3). To balance the amount of N on both sides, we have to multiply HNO3 by 2.

Ca(OH)2 + 2HNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + H2O

On the left side we have 4x H (2xH in Ca(OH)2 and 2x H in HNO3), on the right side we have 2x H (in H2O). To balance the amount of H on both sides, we have to multiply H2O on the right side, by 2.

Now the equationis balanced.

Ca(OH)2 + 2HNO3 = Ca(NO3)2 + 2H2O

The coefficient of Ca(OH)2 is 1