Question

What stoichiometric coefficients are used in combustion reactions? How do represent the comproportionation of ammonium nitrate to nitrous oxide?

Answer 1

Usually, the desirable option is the simplest WHOLE number ratio.....

Explanation:

As for myself, often I reject this rule in favour of half-integral coefficients. For example,............the combustion of ethane,

`H_3C-CH_3(g) + 7/2O_2(g) rarr 2CO_2(g) + 3H_2O(l)`,

versus,

`2H_3C-CH_3(g) + 7O_2(g) rarr 4CO_2(g) + 6H_2O(l)`,

both are balanced; I would prefer the former because it is easier to address the stoichiometry, even tho I know that you cannot have a half an oxygen molecule. You can have, however, `"half a mole"` of dioxygen molecules.

For your reaction,

`NH_4NO_3 rarrN_2O + 2H_2O`

which is in fact a `"comproportionation reaction"`, would be the preferred option.

`3NH_4NO_3 rarr3N_2O + 6H_2O` is not the simplest whole number ratio. If I have missed your point I apologize............