Balance the following chemical equations:

Balancing Chemical Equations

Let's balance each equation step-by-step.

Question 14: KHCO3 -> K2CO3 + H2O + CO2

Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation:

KHCO3​→K2​CO3​+H2​O+CO2​

Step 2: Count atoms on both sides:

• Left: K=1, H=1, C=1, O=3
• Right: K=2, H=2 (in H2O), C=2 (1 in K2CO3 and 1 in CO2), O=6 (3 in K2CO3 + 1 in H2O + 2 in CO2)

Step 3: Balance potassium (K):

• Put 2 in front of KHCO3:

2KHCO3​→K2​CO3​+H2​O+CO2​

Step 4: Check atoms again:

• Left: K=2, H=2, C=2, O=6
• Right: K=2, H=2, C=2, O=6

All atoms are balanced.

Balanced equation:

2KHCO3​→K2​CO3​+H2​O+CO2​​

Question 15: K + O2 -> K2O + C

Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation:

K+O2​→K2​O+C

Step 2: Carbon (C) appears only on the product side but not on the reactant side. This suggests carbon cannot be formed from K and O2 alone.

Conclusion: This equation is incorrect or incomplete because carbon cannot be produced from potassium and oxygen.

Corrected equation: If carbon is not involved, the reaction is:

4K+O2​→2K2​O

If carbon is involved, more information is needed.

Question 16: Ca(OH)2 + HNO3 -> Ca(NO3)2 + H2O

Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation:

Ca(OH)2​+HNO3​→Ca(NO3​)2​+H2​O

Step 2: Balance calcium (Ca):

• 1 Ca on both sides, balanced.

Step 3: Balance nitrate (NO3):

• Left has 1 NO3 per HNO3, right has 2 NO3 in Ca(NO3)2.
• Put 2 in front of HNO3:

Ca(OH)2​+2HNO3​→Ca(NO3​)2​+H2​O

Step 4: Balance hydrogen and oxygen:

• Left: H = 2 (in Ca(OH)2) + 2 (in 2 HNO3) = 4

• Right: H = 2 (in H2O)

• Oxygen is balanced as well.

Step 5: Balance water:

• Put 2 in front of H2O:

Ca(OH)2​+2HNO3​→Ca(NO3​)2​+2H2​O

Step 6: Check atoms:

• Ca: 1 both sides
• H: Left 2 + 21=4, Right 22=4
• N: Left 2, Right 2
• O: Left (21) + (23) = 2 + 6 = 8, Right (23) + (21) = 6 + 2 = 8

All balanced.

Balanced equation:

Ca(OH)2​+2HNO3​→Ca(NO3​)2​+2H2​O​

Question 17: KH + H2O -> KOH + H2

Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation:

KH+H2​O→KOH+H2​

Step 2: Check atoms:

• K: 1 both sides
• H: Left 1 (in KH) + 2 (in H2O) = 3, Right 1 (in KOH) + 2 (in H2) = 3
• O: 1 both sides

Step 3: All atoms are balanced.

Balanced equation:

KH+H2​O→KOH+H2​​