Balancing Chemical Equations - Questions 12 Help

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A balanced chemical equation shows the number of particles of each substance involved in a chemical reaction. Such an equation includes formulas and coefficients. The formulas include symbols for each type of atom in the substance. The coefficients are the numbers present in front of the formulas. The act of balancing a chemical equation involves selecting the lowest possible set of coefficients that would provide the same number of atoms of each element on the reactant and the product side of the equation.

There are two questions in this Question Group. The two questions are very similar or are of similar difficulty level. The question below is one of the questions.

Version 1:
Identify the lowest possible whole number coefficients that balance the chemical equation. Then conduct an atom count for each element.

Al + AuCl → AlCl₃ + Au

To be successful with this question, you need to know what a balanced chemical equation involves. You also need to have a good strategy for how to balance a chemical equation. Finally, you will need to make sure you know how to conduct an Atom Count. The two infographics below describe these three ideas. Study the graphics, giving particular attention to the Know How to Count Atoms, the Step-by-Step Balancing Method, and the Example sections in the second infographic. Some specific information regarding this question are provided after the second infographic.

Some Specifics About This Question Group

The two versions of questions in this Question Group both contain three elements and two of them - Au (or Ag) and Al - are already balanced. The element Cl is not balanced so you will need to begin by balancing that element with a coefficient in front of the Cl-containing formula on the reactant side. This action will disrupt the balance of Au (or Ag) so you will have to re-balance this element with a coefficient on the product side. Finally, do an atom count and make sure that the number of atoms of each element are the same on the reactant and the product side.