lars is balancing equations with his study group. he is unsure about one equation because each member of the…
lars is balancing equations with his study group. he is unsure about one equation because each member of the study group came up with a different answer. which is the proper way to balance the equation ca(oh)₂ + h₃po₄ → ca₃(po₄)₂ + h₂o?\nca(oh)₂ + h₃po₄ → ca₃(po₄)₂ + 6h₂o\n3ca(oh)₂ + 2h₃po₄ → ca₃(po₄)₂ + 6h₂o\n3ca(oh)₂ + 2h₃po₄ → ca₃(po₄)₂ + 3h₂o\nca(oh)₂ + 2h₃po₄ → ca₃(po₄)₂ + 6h₂o
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Balance calcium atoms
On the right - hand side, there are 3 calcium atoms in $Ca_3(PO_4)_2$. So, we need 3 moles of $Ca(OH)_2$ on the left - hand side: $3Ca(OH)_2+H_3PO_4\rightarrow Ca_3(PO_4)_2 + H_2O$.
Step2: Balance phosphate atoms
There are 2 phosphate atoms in $Ca_3(PO_4)_2$. So, we need 2 moles of $H_3PO_4$ on the left - hand side: $3Ca(OH)_2 + 2H_3PO_4\rightarrow Ca_3(PO_4)_2+H_2O$.
Step3: Balance hydrogen and oxygen atoms
In $3Ca(OH)_2$, there are 6 moles of $OH^-$ groups and in $2H_3PO_4$, there are 6 moles of $H^+$ ions. They combine to form 6 moles of $H_2O$. So the balanced equation is $3Ca(OH)_2 + 2H_3PO_4\rightarrow Ca_3(PO_4)_2+6H_2O$.
Answer:
$3Ca(OH)_2 + 2H_3PO_4\rightarrow Ca_3(PO_4)_2+6H_2O$ (corresponding to the second option in the multiple - choice list)