Question

How do you balance `(NH_4)_2CO_3 -> NH_3 + CO_2 + H_2O`?

Answer 1

This equation can be balanced using trial and error method. The most common method of balancing chemical equations.

`(NH_4)_2CO_3 -> 2NH_3 + CO_2 + H_2O`

Explanation:

1. First is to account the initial number of atoms as reference, both the reactant and the products using the T balance;
2. Present the elements according to its appearance in the reactant side and copy the same in the product side; though it's no rule on this;
   `Reactant TTProduct`
   `N=2`...........l`N=cancel1 2`
   `H=8`...........l`H=cancel5 8`
   `C=1`............l`C=1`
   `O=3`............l`O=3`
3. Generally, complex compounds are always considered first and work your way to the least one;
4. Every change you make with coefficients, make sure to recount the number of atoms of the involve elements and record using your T balance and of course cancelling the previous counts;
5. In this case, putting 2 as coefficient in the first product of the reaction will suffice the equation.
6. The balanced equation is
   `(NH_4)_2CO_3->2NH_3+CO_2+H_2O`