How can I balance this chemical equations? Potassium metal and chlorine gas combine to form potassium chloride.

1 Answer
Jul 1, 2014

let us write a chemical equation;

word equation is
Potassium metal + Chlorine Gas --------> Potassium Chloride
The chemical equation using symbols and formula is
K (s) + #Cl_2# (g) ---------> 2KCl (s)

the two reactants are Potassium and Chlorine gas , and the product is Potassium Chloride.

K (s) + #Cl_2# (g) ---------> 2KCl (s)

reactant side K = 1 product side K=2
Cl = 2 Cl =2

the number of Cl atoms on both the sides are equal, in order to balance the number of K atoms on both the sides, we add one K on the reactant side.

2K (s) + #Cl_2# (g) ---------> 2KCl (s)

reactant side K = 1 + 1= 2 product side K=2
Cl = 2 Cl =2

the equation is now balanced.