Help with equation

Chemistry and homework help forum.

Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, High School Chemistry, Colledge Chemistry and University Chemistry Forum.

Share your chemistry ideas, discuss chemical problems, ask for help with scientific chemistry questions, inspire others by your chemistry vision!

Please feel free to start a scientific chemistry discussion here!

Discuss chemistry homework problems with experts!

Ask for help with chemical questions and help others with your chemistry knowledge!

Moderators: Xen, expert, ChenBeier

Post Reply
jcevans7
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 5:34 pm

Help with equation

Post by jcevans7 »

Can't solve this... Keep winding up with a negative which I know it means it isn't balanced. Here is the equation.

Solid calcium reacts with aqueous nitric acid to form aqueous calcium nitrate, gaseous dinitrogen monoxide and water.
User avatar
ChenBeier
Distinguished Member
Distinguished Member
Posts: 1542
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 7:25 am
Location: Berlin, Germany

Post by ChenBeier »

Ca => Ca2+ + 2 e- Oxidation

2 HNO3 to N2O Redox pair

2HNO3 + 8 H+ => N2O + 5 H2O Elimination of Oxygen to form water


2HNO3 + 8 H+ + 8 e-=> N2O + 5 H2O Charge balance

smallest common multiple of electrons is 8

means 4 Ca => 4 Ca2+ + 8 e-

Addition of both equations

2HNO3 + 8 H+ + 4 Ca => 4 Ca 2+ + N2O + 5 H2O

Addition of NO3-

10 HNO3 + 4 Ca => 4 Ca(NO3)2 +N2O + 5 H2O

finished
jcevans7
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 5:34 pm

Post by jcevans7 »

Man, that is awesome! I never got that far. This was by far the hardest equation I have seen. Thank you.
Post Reply