Question

How do you balance `P_4 + Br_2 -> PBr_3`?

Answer 1

We must make sure the number of molecules in each element on each side of the equation are equal.

Explanation:

The lowest number of `P_4` that we can have is `1P_4`, which means one molecule of 4 atoms of phosphorus.

This means we need 4 P atoms on the other side. We do this by making the equation:

`1P_4 + Br_2 -> 4PBr_3`

This means that we have (`4 xx 3 = 12)` atoms of bromine. To finish the balancing process, we need to balance the bromine on the other side of the equation. It would be `6br_2` to make 12 atoms of bromine.

So, your equation will be `P_4 + 6Br_2 -> 4PBr_3`

Hopefully this helps!