Questions: Consider the following unbalanced particulate representation of a chemical equation: N = blue O = red Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction, using the smallest integer coefficients possible. Do not include states. + →

Solution Steps

From the given unbalanced particulate representation, we need to identify the reactants and products. The problem states that nitrogen (N) is represented by blue and oxygen (O) by red.

Assuming the typical diatomic nature of nitrogen and oxygen, the reactants are likely to be nitrogen gas (\( \mathrm{N}_2 \)) and oxygen gas (\( \mathrm{O}_2 \)). The product is likely a nitrogen oxide, such as nitrogen dioxide (\( \mathrm{NO}_2 \)).

Based on the identified species, the unbalanced chemical equation is: \[ \mathrm{N}_2 + \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{NO}_2 \]

To balance the equation, ensure the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides.

• Nitrogen: 2 atoms on the left, 1 atom on the right.
• Oxygen: 2 atoms on the left, 2 atoms on the right.

To balance nitrogen, place a coefficient of 2 in front of \( \mathrm{NO}_2 \): \[ \mathrm{N}_2 + \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\mathrm{NO}_2 \]

Now, check the balance:

• Nitrogen: 2 atoms on both sides.
• Oxygen: 2 atoms on the left, 4 atoms on the right.

To balance oxygen, place a coefficient of 2 in front of \( \mathrm{O}_2 \): \[ \mathrm{N}_2 + 2\mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\mathrm{NO}_2 \]

Final Answer