How would you balance the following equation: NH3 + H2SO4 → (NH4)2SO4?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To balance the equation for the reaction between ammonia (NH₃) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) to form ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄), follow these steps:
Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation
The unbalanced equation is: NH3+H2SO4→(NH4)2SO4\text{NH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \rightarrow (\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4
Step 2: Balance the nitrogen (N) atoms
Ammonium sulfate contains two nitrogen atoms in the ammonium ions (NH₄)₂, so you need two ammonia molecules (NH₃) to balance the nitrogen atoms. This gives: 2NH3+H2SO4→(NH4)2SO4\text{2NH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \rightarrow (\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4
Step 3: Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms
Now, count the hydrogen atoms on both sides. On the left, you have 2 NH₃ molecules, each containing 3 hydrogen atoms, giving a total of 6 hydrogen atoms. On the right side, in (NH₄)₂SO₄, there are 8 hydrogen atoms (since each NH₄ group contains 4 hydrogens, and there are two NH₄ groups). To balance the hydrogen atoms, you need to add 2 more hydrogen atoms on the left by adding one more molecule of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄): 2NH3+H2SO4→(NH4)2SO4\text{2NH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \rightarrow (\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4
Step 4: Balance the sulfur (S) atoms
In the unbalanced equation, sulfur is balanced as there is one sulfur atom on each side.
Step 5: Double-check the balance
- Nitrogen: 2 on both sides
- Hydrogen: 8 on both sides
- Sulfur: 1 on both sides
- Oxygen: 4 on both sides
Thus, the balanced equation is: 2NH3+H2SO4→(NH4)2SO4\text{2NH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \rightarrow (\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4
This is the final balanced equation.