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Ch.3 - Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions
Chapter 3, Problem 84a

The reaction of tungsten hexachloride (WCl6) with bismuth gives hexatungsten dodecachloride (W6Cl12).
WCl6 + Bi → W6Cl12 + BiCl3 Unbalanced
(a) Balance the equation.

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1
Identify the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Initially, you have W, Cl, and Bi atoms to consider.
Start by balancing the tungsten (W) atoms. You have 6 W atoms in W_6Cl_12, so you need 6 WCl_6 molecules on the reactant side.
Next, balance the chlorine (Cl) atoms. You have 6 WCl_6 molecules, each contributing 6 Cl atoms, totaling 36 Cl atoms. On the product side, W_6Cl_12 has 12 Cl atoms, so the remaining 24 Cl atoms must be in BiCl_3. Calculate how many BiCl_3 molecules are needed to provide 24 Cl atoms.
Balance the bismuth (Bi) atoms. The number of Bi atoms on the reactant side should match the number of BiCl_3 molecules on the product side.
Verify that all atoms are balanced on both sides of the equation, ensuring the law of conservation of mass is satisfied.

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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, rather than changing the subscripts within the formulas.
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Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows chemists to predict the amounts of substances consumed and produced in a given reaction. Understanding stoichiometry is essential for balancing equations, as it provides the ratios needed to ensure that the equation reflects the conservation of mass.
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Types of Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions can be classified into several types, including synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, and double replacement. The reaction between tungsten hexachloride and bismuth is a synthesis reaction, where two or more reactants combine to form a single product. Recognizing the type of reaction helps in predicting the products and understanding the underlying mechanisms involved.
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