Balance the following equations. (a) The explosion of ammonium nitrate: NH₄NO₃ → N₂ + O₂ + H₂O

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the reactants and products in the chemical equation. In this case, the reactant is NH4NO3 (ammonium nitrate) and the products are N2 (nitrogen gas), O2 (oxygen gas), and H2O (water).
2. Step 2: Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. On the left side (reactant), there are 2 hydrogen atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms, and 3 oxygen atoms. On the right side (products), there are 2 nitrogen atoms, 2 oxygen atoms, and 2 hydrogen atoms.
3. Step 3: Balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients (the numbers in front of the chemical formulas) so that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Start with the element that appears in the greatest number of compounds, which in this case is oxygen.
4. Step 4: After balancing the oxygen atoms, move on to the next most common element, which is nitrogen. Adjust the coefficients as necessary to balance the nitrogen atoms.
5. Step 5: Finally, balance the hydrogen atoms. If necessary, adjust the coefficients of the compounds containing hydrogen. Remember, the goal is to have the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve equal atom counts.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows chemists to predict the amounts of substances consumed and produced in a reaction. Understanding stoichiometry is essential for balancing equations, as it provides the ratios needed to ensure that all atoms are accounted for in the reaction.

Decomposition Reactions

Decomposition reactions occur when a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler products. In the case of ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3 decomposes to form nitrogen gas (N2), oxygen gas (O2), and water (H2O). Recognizing the type of reaction helps in predicting the products and understanding the overall process involved in balancing the equation.