Question

Aluminum is a highly reactive metal that oxidizes when exposed to air. Which of these would be a good first step in balancing this reaction? Al + O2 → Al2O3

Answer 1

first step to balance the equation is :

multiply AL by 2 to match the amount of aluminum on the other side

balanced equation : 4 Al +3O2 → 2 ALO3

Explanation:

Al + O2 → Al2O3

first step to balance the equation is :

multiply AL by 2 to match the amount of aluminum on the other side

but then you have to deal with the amount of O from both sides, we need to find the least common multiple between 2 and 3 which is 6

the best thing to balance the equation is to multiply O2 by 3 and O3 by2, then deal with the amount of AL which is 4 on the other side. last step is to multiply AL by 4 to balance the equation.