Question

How to balance this equation? h3po4+HCl=pcl+h2o

Answer 1

`H_3PO_4 + 5HCl=PCl_5+4H_2O`

Explanation:

Actually, it's `PCl_5` and not `PCl` as `PCl` do not exist.

`H_3PO_4 +HCl=PCl_5+H_2O`

Right side:
P = 1
Cl = 5
H = 2
O = 1

Left side:
P = 1
Cl = 1
H = 3 + 1 (DO NOT ADD IT UP YET)
O = 4

Start balancing the easiest element, in this case, the Cl.

Right side:
P = 1
Cl = 5
H = 2
O = 1

since HCl is a substance, you need to also multiply its H by 5.

Left side:
P = 1
Cl = 1 x 5 = 5
H = 3 + (1 x 5) = 8
O = 4

`H_3PO_4 + 5HCl=PCl_5+H_2O`

Now the H atom on the right side is not balanced with the left side, we have to multiply the H on the right side by 4.

Right side:
P = 1
Cl = 5
H = 2 x 4 = 8
O = 1 x 4 = 4

Again, since H2O is a substance, you also need to multiply its O by 4.

Left side:
P = 1
Cl = 1 x 5 = 5
H = 3 + (1 x 5) = 8
O = 4

`H_3PO_4 + 5HCl=PCl_5+4H_2O`

The equation is now balanced.