Determine whether the following equation is balanced or unbalanced: H2 + Br2 --> 2HBr
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the chemical equation H₂ + Br₂ → 2HBr is balanced in terms of the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Answer
The equation \( \text{H}_2 + \text{Br}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{HBr} \) is balanced.
Answer for screen readers
The equation ( \text{H}_2 + \text{Br}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{HBr} ) is balanced.
Steps to Solve
- Count the atoms of each element on the left side For the reactants ( \text{H}_2 + \text{Br}_2 ):
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms from ( \text{H}_2 )
- Bromine (Br): 2 atoms from ( \text{Br}_2 )
- Count the atoms of each element on the right side For the products ( 2 \text{HBr} ):
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms from ( 2 \text{HBr} ) (since there are 2 HBr molecules)
- Bromine (Br): 2 atoms from ( 2 \text{HBr} ) (since there are 2 HBr molecules)
- Compare the atom counts
-
Left side:
- H: 2
- Br: 2
-
Right side:
- H: 2
- Br: 2
Since the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides, the equation is balanced.
The equation ( \text{H}_2 + \text{Br}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{HBr} ) is balanced.
More Information
In a balanced chemical equation, the number of atoms for each element must be equal on both sides of the equation. This represents the principle of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in chemical reactions.
Tips
- Failing to count the total number of atoms accurately on both sides.
- Misunderstanding that coefficients (like the 2 in ( 2 \text{HBr} )) multiply the number of atoms present in the compound.
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