Question

How do you balance Co(OH)3 + HNO3-->Co(NO3)3+ H2O?

Answer 1

`Co(OH)_3(s) + 3HNO_3(aq) rarr Co(NO)_3(aq) + 3H_2O(l)`

Explanation:

This is effectively an acid base reaction of the sort:

`KOH(aq) + HNO_3(aq) rarr KNO_3(aq) + H_2O(l)`,

or more simply,

`OH^(-) + H^+ rarr H_2O`

How did I balance it? Well I know that for every species (every atom) on the LHS must correspond to a species on the RHS. And not only must the atoms balance, the electrical charge must balance. Given the 3 equations, are these conditions fulfilled here?

Answer 2

`Co(OH)_3+3HNO_3->Co(NO_3)_3+3H_2O`

Answer 3

`Co(OH)_3 + 3HNO_3 + Co(NO_3)_3 + 3H_2O`

Explanation:

1 Cobalt on either side so that is fine.
1 Nitrate on the left, 3 on the right so `3HNO_3` on the left.
3 Oxygen on the left (not including the nitrate) , 1 on the right so `3H_2O` on the left
Check hydrogen: 6 on the left and 6 on the right so it's all fine.

Tip: make sure you check that there are an equal number of each element on either side