Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

3. Chemical Reactions

Balancing Chemical Equations

General Chemistry

3. Chemical Reactions

Balancing Chemical Equations

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with General Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between aluminum sulfate and silver nitrate?

Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 6AgNO3(aq) → 3Ag2SO4(s) + 2Al(NO3)3(aq)

Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3AgNO3(aq) → 3Ag2SO4(s) + Al(NO3)3(aq)

Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 4AgNO3(aq) → 4Ag2SO4(s) + Al(NO3)3(aq)

Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 2AgNO3(aq) → 2Ag2SO4(s) + Al(NO3)3(aq)

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction. The reactants are aluminum sulfate \((\text{Al}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3)\) and silver nitrate \((\text{AgNO}_3)\). The products are silver sulfate \((\text{Ag}_2\text{SO}_4)\) and aluminum nitrate \((\text{Al}(\text{NO}_3)_3)\).

Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formulas of the reactants and products: \(\text{Al}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3 + \text{AgNO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Ag}_2\text{SO}_4 + \text{Al}(\text{NO}_3)_3\).

Balance the equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Start by balancing the aluminum atoms. There are 2 aluminum atoms in \(\text{Al}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3\), so you need 2 \(\text{Al}(\text{NO}_3)_3\) on the product side.

Next, balance the sulfate \((\text{SO}_4)\) ions. There are 3 sulfate ions in \(\text{Al}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3\), so you need 3 \(\text{Ag}_2\text{SO}_4\) on the product side.

Finally, balance the silver \((\text{Ag})\) and nitrate \((\text{NO}_3)\) ions. You need 6 \(\text{AgNO}_3\) to provide 6 silver atoms for 3 \(\text{Ag}_2\text{SO}_4\) and 6 nitrate ions for 2 \(\text{Al}(\text{NO}_3)_3\). The balanced equation is \(\text{Al}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3 + 6\text{AgNO}_3 \rightarrow 3\text{Ag}_2\text{SO}_4 + 2\text{Al}(\text{NO}_3)_3\).