Question

question 20 of 30
what is the balanced form of the chemical equation shown below?
al(s) + o2(g) → al2o3(s)
a. 4al(s) + 3o2(g) → 2al2o3(s)
b. al(s) + o2(g) → al2o3(s)
c. al(s) + o2(g) → alo2(s)
d. 2al(s) + 3o2(g) → al2o3(s)

Explanation:

Step1: Balance aluminum atoms

On the left - hand side, we have 1 Al atom in \(Al(s)\), and on the right - hand side, we have 2 Al atoms in \(Al_2O_3(s)\). To balance the Al atoms, we put a 4 in front of \(Al(s)\) and a 2 in front of \(Al_2O_3(s)\): \(4Al(s)+O_2(g)
ightarrow2Al_2O_3(s)\).

Step2: Balance oxygen atoms

Now, on the left - hand side, we have 2 O atoms in \(O_2(g)\), and on the right - hand side, we have \(2\times3 = 6\) O atoms in \(2Al_2O_3(s)\). To balance the O atoms, we put a 3 in front of \(O_2(g)\). So the balanced equation is \(4Al(s)+3O_2(g)
ightarrow2Al_2O_3(s)\).

Answer:

A. \(4Al(s)+3O_2(g)
ightarrow2Al_2O_3(s)\)