Questions: Balance the following chemical equation (if necessary): Al(s) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) → Pb(s) + Al(NO3)3(aq)

Transcript text: Balance the following chemical equation (if necessary): \[ \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{~s})+\mathrm{Pb}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{~s})+\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}(\mathrm{aq}) \]

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Reactants and Products

The given chemical equation is: \[ \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{~s})+\mathrm{Pb}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{~s})+\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}(\mathrm{aq}) \] The reactants are aluminum (\(\mathrm{Al}\)) and lead(II) nitrate (\(\mathrm{Pb}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}\)). The products are lead (\(\mathrm{Pb}\)) and aluminum nitrate (\(\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}\)).

Step 2: Count the Atoms of Each Element

Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:

Aluminum (Al): 1 on the left, 1 on the right
Lead (Pb): 1 on the left, 1 on the right
Nitrate (\(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\)): 2 on the left, 3 on the right

Step 3: Balance the Nitrate Ions

To balance the nitrate ions, we need to make sure the number of \(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\) groups is the same on both sides. The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6. Therefore, we need 6 nitrate ions on each side:

Multiply \(\mathrm{Pb}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}\) by 3 to get 6 nitrate ions on the left.
Multiply \(\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}\) by 2 to get 6 nitrate ions on the right.

Step 4: Balance the Aluminum and Lead Atoms

After adjusting the nitrate ions, the equation becomes: \[ \mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{~s}) + 3\mathrm{Pb}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow 3\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{~s}) + 2\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}(\mathrm{aq}) \] Now, balance the aluminum and lead atoms:

Aluminum (Al): Multiply \(\mathrm{Al}\) by 2 on the left to balance with 2 \(\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}\) on the right.
Lead (Pb): Already balanced with 3 on each side.

Final Answer

The balanced chemical equation is: \[ \boxed{2\mathrm{Al}(\mathrm{~s}) + 3\mathrm{Pb}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow 3\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{~s}) + 2\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}(\mathrm{aq})} \]

Was this solution helpful?