Balancing Chemical Equations

The video tutorial demonstrates how to balance a chemical equation involving nitric acid (HNO3) and sodium (Na). It begins by counting the atoms on each side of the equation, identifying the imbalance in hydrogen atoms. The tutorial then shows how to balance hydrogen by adjusting coefficients, followed by balancing nitrogen and oxygen. Finally, it addresses sodium, ensuring all elements are balanced, and concludes with a balanced equation.

What are the initial counts of hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sodium atoms on the reactant side of the equation?

• 1 hydrogen, 1 nitrogen, 3 oxygens, 1 sodium

• 2 hydrogens, 1 nitrogen, 3 oxygens, 1 sodium

• 1 hydrogen, 2 nitrogens, 3 oxygens, 2 sodiums

• 2 hydrogens, 2 nitrogens, 6 oxygens, 2 sodiums

How do you balance the hydrogen atoms in the equation?

• Add a coefficient of 2 in front of HNO3

• Add a coefficient of 2 in front of Na

• Add a coefficient of 3 in front of NaNO3

• Add a coefficient of 3 in front of HNO3

What is the effect of adding a coefficient of 2 in front of HNO3?

• It balances the hydrogen and nitrogen atoms

• It balances only the hydrogen atoms

• It balances the hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms

• It balances the hydrogen and oxygen atoms

How do you balance the oxygen atoms in the equation?

• Add a coefficient of 2 in front of Na

• Add a coefficient of 2 in front of NaNO3

• Add a coefficient of 3 in front of HNO3

• Add a coefficient of 3 in front of NaNO3

What is the result of adding a coefficient of 2 in front of NaNO3?

• It balances only the oxygen atoms

• It balances the nitrogen and oxygen atoms

• It balances the nitrogen, oxygen, and sodium atoms

• It balances the nitrogen and sodium atoms

How is the sodium atom balanced in the equation?

• By adding a coefficient of 3 in front of NaNO3

• By adding a coefficient of 2 in front of NaNO3

• By adding a coefficient of 3 in front of Na

• By adding a coefficient of 2 in front of Na

What is the final balanced equation for the reaction between nitric acid and sodium?

• 2HNO3 + Na → NaNO3 + H2

• HNO3 + 2Na → NaNO3 + H2

• 2HNO3 + 2Na → 2NaNO3 + H2

• HNO3 + Na → NaNO3 + H2