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
3.9
(142 Votes)
Tate
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
3
Explanation
The given chemical equation is:4 Al +? O2 → 2 Al2O3This equation represents the reaction between aluminum and oxygen to form aluminum oxide. In a balanced chemical reaction, the number of atoms of each element is conserved and is same on both sides of the arrow (that is, the total number of atoms of each element in reactants equals the total number of atoms of each element in products). Looking at the aluminum (Al) atoms, there are 4 on the left side (reactants) and also 4 on the right side (because 2 Al2 yield 4 Al), so aluminum is balanced.Looking at the oxygen (O) atoms, there are 2(3) = 6 in 2 Al2O3 on the right side. Hence, the blank should be filled with 3 (because 3 O2 yields 6 O) to balance the oxygen atoms on both sides.