Problem 29 - Chemistry An Atoms First Approach

Question

Write equations describing the reactions of Ga with each of the following: \(\mathrm{F}_{2}, \mathrm{O}_{2}, \mathrm{S},\) and HCl.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The balanced chemical equations for the reactions of Ga with the given substances are: 1. \(2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{F}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaF}_{3}(s)\) 2. \(4 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}(s)\) 3. \(2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{S}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{S}_{3}(s)\) 4. \(2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 6 \mathrm{HCl}(aq) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaCl}_{3}(aq) + 3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\)

Step 1: Reaction of Ga with \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\)

Consider the reaction between gallium (Ga) and fluorine gas (\(\mathrm{F}_{2}\)). Gallium is a metal and fluorine is a non-metal, so their reaction will form a metal fluoride, namely, gallium fluoride (GaF₃). To balance this equation, make sure we have equal amounts of each element on both sides: \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{F}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaF}_{3}(s)\]

Step 2: Reaction of Ga with \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\)

The reaction between gallium (Ga) and oxygen gas (\(\mathrm{O}_{2}\)) will form a metal oxide, with gallium forming gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃). Balancing the equation: \[4 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}(s)\]

Step 3: Reaction of Ga with \(\mathrm{S}\)

The reaction between gallium (Ga) and sulfur (S) yields a metal sulfide, in this case, gallium sulfide (Ga₂S₃). We can balance the equation as follows: \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{S}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{S}_{3}(s)\]

Step 4: Reaction of Ga with HCl

When gallium (Ga) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl), a metal chloride is formed, which in this case is gallium chloride (GaCl₃), and hydrogen gas (H₂) is produced as a byproduct. Since HCl is in aqueous form, we will also write GaCl₃ in aqueous form. Balancing the equation: \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 6 \mathrm{HCl}(aq) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaCl}_{3}(aq) + 3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\] So, the four equations describing the reactions of Ga with the given substances are: 1. \(2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{F}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaF}_{3}(s)\) 2. \(4 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}(s)\) 3. \(2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{S}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{S}_{3}(s)\) 4. \(2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 6 \mathrm{HCl}(aq) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaCl}_{3}(aq) + 3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\)

Key Concepts

Chemical Equations

Chemical equations are symbolic representations of chemical reactions. They showcase reactants transforming into products using symbols and formulas. A chemical equation must be balanced, meaning the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side must be equal to the number on the product side. This reflects the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Consider one of the reactions presented in the exercise, the reaction between gallium and fluorine:

• Reactants: Gallium (Ga) and Fluorine (F_{2})
• Products: Gallium fluoride (GaF_{3})

The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:\[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{F}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaF}_{3}(s)\]Here, the subscript numbers show how many atoms of each element are involved in the reaction. This equation is balanced as there are the same number of Ga and F atoms on both sides.
Understanding chemical equations allows for proper representation and prediction of chemical reactions' outcomes.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It involves using balanced chemical equations to calculate the amounts of reactants needed or products formed. Stoichiometry helps in determining the proportions in which elements and compounds combine.
In the equation for gallium and hydrochloric acid:\[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 6 \mathrm{HCl}(aq) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaCl}_{3}(aq) + 3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\]We can see numerous stoichiometric relationships:

• It takes 6 moles of HCl to react completely with 2 moles of Ga.
• The production of 2 moles of GaCl₃ also yields 3 moles of hydrogen gas (H₂).

Such relationships allow chemists to calculate the necessary amounts of substances involved in reactions, optimizing the use of materials and predicting yields. This concept is key in industrial applications where efficiency is crucial.

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation-reduction reactions, or redox reactions, are chemical processes that involve the transfer of electrons between substances. The substance that loses electrons is oxidized, while the one that gains electrons is reduced. This electron transfer results in changes to the oxidation states of the elements involved.
A clear example of a redox reaction from the exercise is the reaction between gallium and oxygen:\[4 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}(s)\]In this reaction:

• Gallium (Ga) is oxidized as it loses electrons to form gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃).
• Oxygen (O_{2}) is reduced as it gains electrons to form the oxide compound.

Identifying the oxidation and reduction components in a reaction is essential for understanding the electron flow and reactivity of different elements. Redox reactions are central to energy production, batteries, and many natural processes. These reactions form a foundational concept for understanding chemical reactivity and the transformation of energy in chemical systems.