Question

How do you balance `Ag_2O -> Ag + O_2`?

Answer 1

`2Ag_2Orarr4Ag+O_2`

Explanation:

Balancing a chemical equation consists of changing the coefficient of molecules in order to make the number of atoms equal on both side.

Consider the given equation:

`Ag_2OrarrAg+O_2`

Notice how there is only one `O` on the reactants side, but two on the products side. This can be fixed by multiplying the reactant by `2`.

`color(red)(2)Ag_2OrarrAg+O_2`

Now that the oxygen atoms are balanced, all that remains is the silver. There are now four `Ag` on the reactant side and only one on the product side, which can be remedied with a coefficient of four on the products side.

`2Ag_2Orarrcolor(blue)(4)Ag+O_2`

This is completely balanced.