3.56P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Convert the following into balanced equations:

When nitrogen dioxide is bubbled into water, a solution ofnitric acid forms and gaseous nitrogen monoxide is released.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The first step is to identify the reactant and product. All the balanced procedures are given in steps.

$4{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to 4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Here the gaseous nitrogen dioxide, NO₂ reacts with gaseous oxygen, O₂ and liquid water, H₂O, then form aqueous nitric acid, HNO₃.

Step1. Overall equation.

The balanced equation is;

$4{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to 4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Above is the final balanced equations.

Step2. Stepwise balanced equation.

1. Starting with the most complicated formula: ${\mathrm{HNO}}_3$                                                                      By putting 1 in front of it we are now fixing the number other atoms                                              ${\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to {\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$     
2. Balance of H₂O: Done by putting 2 in front of H₂O                                                                          ${\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to {\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$
3. Balance of HNO₃: By putting 4 in front of HNO_{3                                                                                                         ${\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to 4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$}
4. Balance of NO₂: By putting 4 in front of NO_{2                                                                                                                 $4{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to 4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$}     
5. Putting Coefficient: Equation will be balanced, by checking                                                            Left-hand side and right-hand side total atom balanced or not.                                              Now write the balanced equation.

$4{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to 4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$