Question

write a balanced chemical equation based on the following description: aqueous potassium hydroxide reacts with aqueous ammonium sulfate to produce aqueous potassium sulfate, liquid water and ammonia gas. koh(aq) + (nh₄)₂so₄(aq)→

Explanation:

Step1: Write the un - balanced products

The products are potassium sulfate ($K_2SO_4$), water ($H_2O$) and ammonia ($NH_3$). So the un - balanced equation is $KOH(aq)+(NH_4)_2SO_4(aq)
ightarrow K_2SO_4(aq)+H_2O(l)+NH_3(g)$

Step2: Balance potassium atoms

There is 1 potassium atom in $KOH$ and 2 in $K_2SO_4$. So we put a coefficient of 2 in front of $KOH$. The equation becomes $2KOH(aq)+(NH_4)_2SO_4(aq)
ightarrow K_2SO_4(aq)+H_2O(l)+NH_3(g)$

Step3: Balance nitrogen atoms

There are 2 nitrogen atoms in $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ and 1 in $NH_3$. So we put a coefficient of 2 in front of $NH_3$. The equation is $2KOH(aq)+(NH_4)_2SO_4(aq)
ightarrow K_2SO_4(aq)+H_2O(l)+2NH_3(g)$

Step4: Balance hydrogen and oxygen atoms

On the left - hand side, we have $2\times1 + 2\times4=10$ hydrogen atoms and $2 + 4 = 6$ oxygen atoms. On the right - hand side, in $K_2SO_4$ there are 4 oxygen atoms, in $2NH_3$ there are 0 oxygen atoms. In $H_2O$, we need 2 moles of water to balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The balanced equation is $2KOH(aq)+(NH_4)_2SO_4(aq)
ightarrow K_2SO_4(aq)+2H_2O(l)+2NH_3(g)$

Answer:

$2KOH(aq)+(NH_4)_2SO_4(aq)
ightarrow K_2SO_4(aq)+2H_2O(l)+2NH_3(g)$