Question

fill out the table below based on the following chemical equation: _n₂ + _o₂ → _n₂o₅
total # before (reactants) elements total # after (reactants)
n
o
the correct coefficients for the equation is _n₂ + _o₂ → _n₂o₅

Explanation:

Step1: Balance nitrogen atoms

Let the coefficients of $N_2$, $O_2$ and $N_2O_5$ be $a$, $b$ and $c$ respectively. The chemical equation is $aN_2 + bO_2
ightarrow cN_2O_5$. For nitrogen atoms, since there are $2a$ nitrogen atoms on the left - hand side and $2c$ nitrogen atoms on the right - hand side, when balancing nitrogen, we can start with $a = c$.

Step2: Balance oxygen atoms

For oxygen atoms, there are $2b$ oxygen atoms on the left - hand side and $5c$ oxygen atoms on the right - hand side. We want to find non - negative integers $b$ and $c$ such that $2b=5c$. The smallest non - negative integer solution is $c = 2$ and $b = 5$. And since $a = c$, $a = 2$.

Step3: Fill in the atom numbers before and after reaction

Before the reaction: For nitrogen in $N_2$, if $a = 2$, the number of $N$ atoms is $2\times2 = 4$. For oxygen in $O_2$, if $b = 5$, the number of $O$ atoms is $2\times5=10$.
After the reaction: In $N_2O_5$ with $c = 2$, the number of $N$ atoms is $2\times2 = 4$ and the number of $O$ atoms is $2\times5 = 10$.

Answer:

Total # Before (reactants)	Elements	Total # After (Reactants)
10	O	10

The correct coefficients for the equation is $2N_2+5O_2
ightarrow2N_2O_5$