Chem.
110 Introduction to Balancing Equations Name:__________________________
Go to the following web page [Link]
Chemists balance equations to find the “perfect ratio” (called stoichiometric ratio) to maximize the products formed. In this lab
you will explore the process of balancing equations in the stoichiometric ratio.
PART 1
Select Introduction, and for the following unbalanced reactions found in the sim provide the missing coefficients.
Coefficient Reactant1 Coefficient Reactant2 Coefficient Product1 Coefficient Product2
N2 + H2 à NH3
H2O à H2 + O2
CH4 + O2 à CO2 + H2O
After you have done the introduction, select Game. You will see there are 3 levels. First start with Level 1 and fill in the box based
on each reaction.
LEVEL 1
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Next go to Level 2 and do the same as you did for Level 1.
LEVEL 2
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Next go to Level 3 and do the same.
LEVEL 3
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If you didn’t score a perfect number of stars for one of the levels and you want to retry, then indicate which level you are doing
below and write the reactions again for that level.
LEVEL _____
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1
For one of the levels you choose from above, provide the missing reactant(s) & product(s), and all coefficients. In the row below
the balanced equation draw the molecules similar to the way thy appear in the simulation. You can use markers to add color. If
you do not have a printer then do these on a separate page and include in the upload. Draw the same number of molecules as
the coefficients that balance the equation. This will serve as “black-box” diagrams and demonstrates the type of molecular
modeling that chemists use.
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Now that you have learned to balance equations using the models on the simulation. See if you can balance these equations.
(These are not found in the sim). These are for you to do on your own.
Al2O3 à Al + O2
C4H10 + O2 à C O2 + H2O
Al(NO3)3 + Na2 CO3 à Al2 (CO3)3 + Na NO3
Na3 PO4 + H2 SO4 à Na2 SO4 + H3 PO4
P2O5 + H2O à H3 PO4 +
For the following equations you will be given the names of reactants and products. In the space below each reaction provide the
formulas of each reactant and product along with coefficients.
Silver nitrate + Lithium à Silver carbonate + Lithium nitrate
carbonate
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Sodium acetate + Sulfuric acid à Sodium sulfate + Acetic acid
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+ Potassium à Oxygen + Potassium
chlorate chloride
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2
Potassium + Phosphoric à Water + Potassium
hydroxide acid phosphate
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Part 2
Sometimes reactants are not mixed in the “perfect ratio”. This is called a stoichiometric ratio when the reaction is balanced.
When the reaction is not balanced there will be leftovers. Go to this sim:
[Link]
We will first practice with sandwiches to illustrate this principle of leftovers. In the space provided write out the combination of
reactants and products that give the desired results. Include coefficients and reactants and products.
A. Sandwiches
Cheese
à
Meat and Cheese
à
Custom
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B. Molecules
Make water
à
Make ammonia
à
Combust methane
à
Game
If one of the reactants is completely used up in the reaction it is called the “limiting reagent” or “limiting reactant”. The amounts
of products are limited by this limiting reactant. If a reactant is leftover at the end of the reaction it is called the “excess reagent”
or “excess reactant”. In certain reactions is possible for both reactants to be leftover if the reactants are not in a stoichiometric
ratio. In the space provided write out the combination of reactants and products that give the desired results. Include
coefficients and reactants and products. Below each reaction identify the limiting and excess reagents. If there are none then
write “none”.
Level 1
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
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Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
Level 2
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
Level 3
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Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
à
Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
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Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
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Limiting Excess
reactant(s) Reactant(s)
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Practice:
Write out the balanced equations from the given symbols and formulas. It is important to remember which elements are
diatomic, such as O2:
Magnesium + Oxygen à Magnesium oxide
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Lithium + iodine à Lithium iodide
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Calcium oxide + water à Calcium hydroxide
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Surcose + Oxygen à Carbon dioxide + Water
(C12H22O11)
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Fluorine + Cesium à Cesium fluoride + Bromine
bromide
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