Balancing Chemical Equations Practice

This video tutorial demonstrates how to balance the chemical equation for aluminum carbonate reacting with phosphoric acid. The instructor uses a strategic approach by treating the phosphate ion as a single unit, simplifying the balancing process. The video guides viewers through counting atoms on both sides, balancing aluminum, phosphate, and hydrogen atoms, and making final adjustments to oxygen and carbon. The tutorial concludes with a summary of the process and tips for handling challenging equations.

What is the main challenge in balancing the equation for aluminum carbonate and phosphoric acid?

• The equation is already balanced

• The lack of oxygen atoms

• The equation is too simple

• The presence of multiple elements

Why is it beneficial to count the phosphate ion as a single unit?

• It simplifies the balancing process

• It increases the number of atoms

• It decreases the number of atoms

• It makes the equation more complex

How many aluminum atoms are present on the reactant side before balancing?

• Three

• Two

• One

• Four

What is the first element balanced in the equation?

• Carbon

• Oxygen

• Aluminum

• Hydrogen

How many phosphates are present on the product side after balancing?

• Two

• Four

• One

• Three

What coefficient is used to balance the hydrogen atoms?

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

What is the total number of oxygen atoms on the product side after balancing?

• Eight

• Seven

• Six

• Five

What strategy is used to simplify the balancing of this equation?

• Using only odd coefficients

• Ignoring hydrogen atoms

• Counting phosphate as a single unit

• Balancing oxygen first

Why couldn't the carbonate ion be counted as a single unit?

• It is already balanced

• It appears on both sides

• It is not part of the equation

• It does not appear on the product side

What is the final balanced equation for aluminum carbonate and phosphoric acid?

• Al2(CO3)3 + 2H3PO4 → AlPO4 + H2O + CO2

• Al2(CO3)3 + 3H3PO4 → 2AlPO4 + 3H2O + 3CO2

• Al2(CO3)3 + H3PO4 → AlPO4 + H2O + CO2

• Al2(CO3)3 + 2H3PO4 → 2AlPO4 + 3H2O + 3CO2