How would you balance PCl5 + H2O -->H3PO4 + HCl?
1 Answer
Explanation:
Just create a tally sheet for all the elements involve.
Left side:
P = 1
Cl = 5
H = 2
O = 1
Right side:
P = 1
Cl = 1
H = 3 + 1 (DO NOT ADD IT UP YET)
O = 4
Start balancing the easiest element, in this case, the Cl.
Left side:
P = 1
Cl = 5
H = 2
O = 1
since
Right side:
P = 1
Cl = 1 x 5 = 5
H = 3 + (1 x 5) = 8
O = 4
Now the H atom on the left side is not balance with the right side, we have to multiply the H on the left side by 4.
Left side:
P = 1
Cl = 5
H = 2 x 4 = 8
O = 1 x 4 = 4
Again, since
Right side:
P = 1
Cl = 1 x 5 = 5
H = 3 + (1 x 5) = 8
O = 4
The equation is now balanced.