Question
This equation shows the reaction between aluminium and oxygen to form aluminium oxide. What number should go in the box to balance the equation? Enter your answer as a number 4Al+?O_(2)arrow 2Al_(2)O_(3)
Answer
3.8
(255 Votes)
Peryn
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
3
Explanation
The question asks what number should fit in the box to balance the chemical equation of aluminium (`Al`) and a mysterious substance (`PO2`) combine to form aluminium oxide (`Al2O3`). There's an error here. It should be `O2`(which means molecular oxygen), not `PO2`. You probably have miscopied the original equation. If we treat it as `O2`, we draw out the equation as: `4Al + ?O2 -> 2Al2O3`. A balanced chemical equation obeys the law of conservation of mass. Arranging atomic numbers, we have 4 Al on the left required by the different aluminium substances on both side and must therefore have 6 O on the right (because of the 2 instances of `Al2O3`, and each `Al2O3` has 3 O). As each `O2` has 2 O, we'll need 3 instances of `O2` to balance the O on either side of the equation - `3O2` (meaning 3 diatomic O, or molecular keys in a present package role)I suppose written word).Contrary to this, it is necessary to assume oxygen is solid or in the form of molecular and consider obviously chemical interaction process if the substance is `PO2`. Anyway, I've provided the suitable context to specify.