use the following balanced equation to answer the questions: 3rb + p → rb₃p\nhow many molecules of rubidium…
use the following balanced equation to answer the questions: 3rb + p → rb₃p\nhow many molecules of rubidium are present?
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Analyze the reactant side
The balanced equation is $3\text{Rb}+\text{P}\to\text{Rb}_3\text{P}$. On the reactant side, rubidium is in its elemental form and is represented as $\text{Rb}$. Rubidium is a metal and exists as individual atoms rather than molecules under normal conditions. But if we consider the stoichiometry in terms of the coefficient in the balanced - equation, the coefficient of $\text{Rb}$ is 3.
Step2: Determine the number of "molecules" (in the context of the equation)
Since the coefficient of $\text{Rb}$ is 3, we can say that in the context of this chemical reaction, there are 3 "units" of rubidium. In terms of the question asking for "molecules", although rubidium is atomic in nature, based on the equation's stoichiometry, the answer is 3.
Answer:
3