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Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry
All textbooksBrown 15th EditionCh.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction StoichiometryProblem 12c
Chapter 3, Problem 12c

Balance the following equations: c. NH4NO3(𝑠)⟢N2(𝑔)+O2(𝑔)+H2O(𝑔)

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Step 1: Identify the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation. In the reactant side, we have 2 Nitrogen atoms, 4 Hydrogen atoms, and 3 Oxygen atoms. On the product side, we have 2 Nitrogen atoms, 2 Hydrogen atoms, and 3 Oxygen atoms.
Step 2: Balance the Hydrogen atoms first. Since there are 4 Hydrogen atoms on the reactant side and only 2 on the product side, we can balance this by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O on the product side. Now the equation looks like this: NH4NO3(𝑠)⟢N2(𝑔)+O2(𝑔)+2H2O(𝑔).
Step 3: Now, check the Oxygen atoms. We have 3 Oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 4 on the product side (2 from 2H2O and 2 from O2). To balance this, we can place a coefficient of 2 in front of NH4NO3 on the reactant side. Now the equation looks like this: 2NH4NO3(𝑠)⟢N2(𝑔)+O2(𝑔)+2H2O(𝑔).
Step 4: Check the Nitrogen atoms. We have 4 Nitrogen atoms on the reactant side and 2 on the product side. To balance this, we can place a coefficient of 2 in front of N2 on the product side. Now the equation looks like this: 2NH4NO3(𝑠)⟢2N2(𝑔)+O2(𝑔)+2H2O(𝑔).
Step 5: Finally, verify that the equation is balanced by checking that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation. We have 4 Nitrogen atoms, 8 Hydrogen atoms, and 6 Oxygen atoms on both sides, so the equation is balanced.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve equal atom counts.
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Types of Chemical Reactions

The reaction represented in the equation is a decomposition reaction, where a single compound breaks down into two or more products. Understanding the type of reaction helps in predicting the products formed and the conditions required for the reaction to occur. In this case, ammonium nitrate decomposes into nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, and water.
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Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows chemists to calculate the amounts of substances consumed and produced in a reaction. In balancing the equation, stoichiometric coefficients indicate the ratio of moles of each substance, which is essential for accurate calculations in chemical processes.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

A key step in balancing chemical equations is correctly identifying the formulas of the reactants and products. For example, consider the reaction between calcium oxide, CaO(s), and H2O1l2 to form aqueous calcium hydroxide. (b) Is it possible to balance the equation if you incorrectly identify the product as CaOH1aq2, and if so, what is the equation?

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