Balancing Chemical Equations with Polyatomic Ions

This video tutorial demonstrates how to balance a chemical equation involving nickel and sulfuric acid, resulting in hydrogen gas and nickel sulfate. The instructor explains the process of counting atoms and ions, particularly focusing on treating the sulfate ion as a single unit to simplify the balancing process. The video provides a step-by-step guide to balancing the equation, ensuring that the number of atoms on both sides is equal. The tutorial concludes with a summary of the balancing process and emphasizes the ease of using polyatomic ions as single units.

What type of reaction occurs when nickel reacts with sulphuric acid?

• Double replacement

• Single replacement

• Synthesis

• Decomposition

What is the role of the sulfate ion in the balancing process?

• It is counted as separate sulfur and oxygen atoms.

• It is ignored completely.

• It is treated as a single unit to simplify balancing.

• It is only considered on the product side.

How many sulfate ions are present on the product side of the equation?

• Four

• One

• Two

• Three

What coefficient is placed in front of H2SO4 to balance the sulfates?

• 4

• 3

• 2

• 1

How many hydrogen atoms are there on the reactant side after balancing?

• Two

• Six

• Four

• Eight

What is the final coefficient for nickel on the reactant side?

• 4

• 3

• 2

• 1

Why is it easier to balance polyatomic ions as a single unit?

• It reduces the number of calculations.

• It increases the number of atoms to count.

• It complicates the balancing process.

• It is only applicable to sulfate ions.

What is the final balanced equation for the reaction?

• 2Ni + 3H2SO4 → 3H2 + Ni2(SO4)3

• Ni + 2H2SO4 → 2H2 + NiSO4

• 2Ni + 3H2SO4 → 3H2 + 2NiSO4

• Ni + H2SO4 → H2 + NiSO4

What is the main benefit of using the polyatomic ion trick in balancing equations?

• It simplifies the counting of atoms.

• It makes the equation unbalanced.

• It is not beneficial at all.

• It only works for simple reactions.