Fill in the gaps to balance the equation.
Use the smallest set of whole numbers to balance the equation and include coefficients of "1" when appropriate.
[tex]$\square$ RbBr + $\square$ HNO _3 \rightarrow $\square$ RbNO _3+ $\square$ HBr[/tex]
Complete the table to determine how many atoms of each element are present in the reactants and products.
| Element | Reactant | Products |
| :------ | :------- | :------- |
| Rb | $\square$ | $\square$ |
| Br | $\square$ | $\square$ |
| H | $\square$ | $\square$ |
| N | $\square$ | $\square$ |
| O | $\square$ | $\square$
Answer (2)
Balance the equation: 1 R b B r + 1 H N O 3 → 1 R b N O 3 + 1 H B r .
Count the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side.
Count the number of atoms of each element on the product side.
Complete the table with the counts: Rb: 1, Br: 1, H: 1, N: 1, O: 3 on both sides. The balanced equation is 1 R b B r + 1 H N O 3 → 1 R b N O 3 + 1 H B r .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given an unbalanced chemical equation and asked to balance it using the smallest possible whole number coefficients. We also need to complete a table showing the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the balanced equation.
Setting up the Balancing Process The given unbalanced equation is:
□ R b B r + □ H N O 3 → □ R b N O 3 + □ HBr
We will balance this equation by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both the reactant and product sides.
Balancing Rubidium
Balancing Rb:
Start by placing a coefficient of 1 in front of RbBr and RbNO3. This balances the Rubidium (Rb) atoms. 1 R b B r + □ H N O 3 → 1 R b N O 3 + □ HBr
Balancing Bromine
Balancing Br:
Place a coefficient of 1 in front of HBr to balance the Bromine (Br) atoms. 1 R b B r + □ H N O 3 → 1 R b N O 3 + 1 HBr
Balancing Nitrogen
Balancing N:
Place a coefficient of 1 in front of HNO3 to balance the Nitrogen (N) atoms. 1 R b B r + 1 H N O 3 → 1 R b N O 3 + 1 HBr
Balancing Hydrogen
Balancing H:
With a coefficient of 1 in front of HNO3 and HBr, Hydrogen (H) is balanced. 1 R b B r + 1 H N O 3 → 1 R b N O 3 + 1 HBr
Balancing Oxygen
Balancing O:
With a coefficient of 1 in front of HNO3 and RbNO3, Oxygen (O) is balanced. 1 R b B r + 1 H N O 3 → 1 R b N O 3 + 1 HBr
The Balanced Equation The balanced equation is:
$1 RbBr + 1 HNO _3 \rightarrow 1 RbNO _3+ 1 HBr
Completing the Table Now, we complete the table to show the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the balanced equation.
Element
Reactant
Products
Rb
1
1
Br
1
1
H
1
1
N
1
1
O
3
3
Final Answer The balanced equation is:
$1 RbBr + 1 HNO _3 \rightarrow 1 RbNO _3+ 1 HBr
The completed table is:
Element
Reactant
Products
Rb
1
1
Br
1
1
H
1
1
N
1
1
O
3
3
Examples
Balancing chemical equations is essential in various real-life applications, such as in medicine when preparing drugs, in environmental science when assessing pollution levels, and in cooking when following recipes. For instance, when creating a new medication, chemists must ensure that the chemical reaction produces the desired compound without any harmful byproducts. Similarly, environmental scientists use balanced equations to understand how pollutants react in the atmosphere and affect air quality. Even in cooking, understanding the ratios of ingredients ensures the dish turns out as expected. In each of these scenarios, balancing equations ensures accuracy, safety, and efficiency.
The balanced chemical equation is 1 RbBr + 1 HNO 3 → 1 RbNO 3 + 1 HBr . The counts of each element on both sides are the same, ensuring the equation is balanced. The completed table shows 1 atom of Rb, Br, H, N on both sides, and 3 oxygen atoms as well.
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