C6 Chemical synthesis

Activity AC6.2.4 Balancing equations

To do
Balance the following equations.
The equations in questions 1 to 3 are either already balanced,
or need a 2 in front of just one of the formulae.
The equations in question 4 need a number in front of more
than one of the formulae.
1

metal + acid salt + hydrogen

magnesium + hydrochloric acid magnesium chloride + hydrogen
Mg + HCl MgCl2 + H2

metal oxide + acid salt + water

sodium oxide + sulfuric acid sodium sulfate + water
Na2O + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + H2O

metal carbonate + acid salt + water + carbon dioxide

a calcium carbonate + nitric acid calcium nitrate + water + carbon dioxide
CaCO3 + HNO3 Ca(NO3)2 + H2O + CO2

Balance these equations and add state symbols after each substance.
Write a word equation under each symbol equation.
a KOH + H2SO4 K2SO4 + H2O
b Na2CO3 + HCl NaCl + H2O + CO2
c Challenge level! Al2O3 + HNO3 Al(NO3)3 + H2O

University of York (UYSEG) and

the Nuffield Foundation

C6.2-10

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