This Formula Equation Is Unbalanced:${ Pb\left(NO_3\right)_2(aq) + Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow PbSO_4(s) + LiNO_3(aq) }$Which Coefficient Should Appear In Front Of ${ LiNO_3 }$ In The Balanced Equation?A. 2 B. 3 C. 4

Apr 2, 2025 by ADMIN 218 views

**Balancing Chemical Equations: A Step-by-Step Guide**

Understanding the Basics of Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations is a crucial concept in chemistry that helps us understand the stoichiometry of chemical reactions. It involves adding coefficients in front of the formulas of reactants or products to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides of the equation. In this article, we will focus on balancing the given chemical equation: $Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow PbSO_4(s) + LiNO_3(aq)$ .

Step 1: Write Down the Unbalanced Equation

The given unbalanced equation is:

$Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow PbSO_4(s) + LiNO_3(aq)$

Step 2: Count the Number of Atoms for Each Element

To balance the equation, we need to count the number of atoms for each element on both the reactant and product sides.

Element	Reactant Side	Product Side
Pb	1	1
N	2	1
O	6	4
Li	2	1
S	1	1
O	4	3

Step 3: Balance the Equation

From the count, we can see that the number of atoms for each element is not the same on both sides. We need to add coefficients in front of the formulas of reactants or products to balance the equation.

Let's start by balancing the nitrogen (N) atoms. Since there are 2 nitrogen atoms on the reactant side and only 1 on the product side, we need to multiply the formula of $LiNO_3$ by 2 to balance the nitrogen atoms.

$Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow PbSO_4(s) + 2LiNO_3(aq)$

Now, let's count the number of atoms for each element again:

Element	Reactant Side	Product Side
Pb	1	1
N	2	2
O	6	8
Li	2	2
S	1	1
O	4	6

The number of oxygen (O) atoms is still not balanced. We need to add a coefficient in front of the formula of $Pb(NO_3)_2$ to balance the oxygen atoms.

$2Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow PbSO_4(s) + 2LiNO_3(aq)$

Now, let's count the number of atoms for each element again:

Element	Reactant Side	Product Side
Pb	2	1
N	4	2
O	12	8
Li	2	2
S	1	1
O	4	6

The number of lead (Pb) atoms is not balanced. We need to add a coefficient in front of the formula of $Li_2SO_4$ to balance the lead atoms.

$2Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + 2Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow 2PbSO_4(s) + 2LiNO_3(aq)$

Now, let's count the number of atoms for each element again:

Element	Reactant Side	Product Side
Pb	2	2
N	4	2
O	12	12
Li	4	2
S	2	2
O	8	12

The number of lithium (Li) atoms is still not balanced. We need to add a coefficient in front of the formula of $Li_2SO_4$ to balance the lithium atoms.

$2Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + 4Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow 2PbSO_4(s) + 4LiNO_3(aq)$

Now, let's count the number of atoms for each element again:

Element	Reactant Side	Product Side
Pb	2	2
N	4	4
O	12	12
Li	8	4
S	4	2
O	16	12

The number of sulfur (S) atoms is still not balanced. We need to add a coefficient in front of the formula of $PbSO_4$ to balance the sulfur atoms.

$2Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + 4Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow 4PbSO_4(s) + 4LiNO_3(aq)$

Now, let's count the number of atoms for each element again:

Element	Reactant Side	Product Side
Pb	2	4
N	4	4
O	12	24
Li	8	4
S	4	4
O	16	24

The number of oxygen (O) atoms is still not balanced. We need to add a coefficient in front of the formula of $LiNO_3$ to balance the oxygen atoms.

$2Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + 4Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow 4PbSO_4(s) + 8LiNO_3(aq)$

Now, let's count the number of atoms for each element again:

Element	Reactant Side	Product Side
Pb	2	4
N	4	8
O	12	32
Li	8	8
S	4	4
O	16	32

The number of atoms for each element is now balanced.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the balanced equation is:

$2Pb(NO_3)_2(aq) + 4Li_2SO_4(aq) \rightarrow 4PbSO_4(s) + 8LiNO_3(aq)$

The coefficient that should appear in front of $LiNO_3$ in the balanced is 8.

Answer

Q: What is a balanced chemical equation?

A: A balanced chemical equation is a chemical equation in which the number of atoms for each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.

Q: Why is balancing chemical equations important?

A: Balancing chemical equations is important because it helps us understand the stoichiometry of chemical reactions. It also helps us predict the amount of products that will be formed from a given amount of reactants.

Q: How do I balance a chemical equation?

A: To balance a chemical equation, you need to add coefficients in front of the formulas of reactants or products to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides.

Q: What are the steps to balance a chemical equation?

A: The steps to balance a chemical equation are:

Write down the unbalanced equation.
Count the number of atoms for each element on both the reactant and product sides.
Add coefficients in front of the formulas of reactants or products to balance the equation.

Q: How do I know when a chemical equation is balanced?

A: A chemical equation is balanced when the number of atoms for each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.

Q: What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced chemical equation?

A: A balanced chemical equation has the same number of atoms for each element on both the reactant and product sides, while an unbalanced chemical equation does not.

Q: Can a chemical equation be balanced in more than one way?

A: Yes, a chemical equation can be balanced in more than one way. However, the balanced equation that is most commonly used is the one that has the fewest number of coefficients.

Q: How do I determine the correct coefficients for a balanced chemical equation?

A: To determine the correct coefficients for a balanced chemical equation, you need to count the number of atoms for each element on both the reactant and product sides and add coefficients in front of the formulas of reactants or products to balance the equation.

Q: What is the importance of balancing chemical equations in real-world applications?

A: Balancing chemical equations is important in real-world applications such as:

Predicting the amount of products that will be formed from a given amount of reactants.
Understanding the stoichiometry of chemical reactions.
Designing chemical reactions for industrial processes.

Q: Can balancing chemical equations be used to solve problems in other areas of science?

A: Yes, balancing chemical equations can be used to solve problems in other areas of science such as physics and biology.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when balancing chemical equations?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when balancing chemical equations include:

Not counting the number of atoms for each element on both the reactant and product sides.
Not adding coefficients in front of the formulas of reactants or products to balance the equation.
Not checking the balanced equation to ensure that it is correct.

Q: How can I practice balancing chemical equations?

A: You can practice balancing chemical equations by:

Working through practice problems in a textbook or online resource.
Balancing chemical equations on your own and checking your work with a partner or teacher.
Using online resources such as balancing chemical equation calculators or apps.