Is the following equation balanced? NH2CH2COOH (s) + 9/4 O2 --> 2 CO2 (s) + 5/2 H2O (l) + 1/2 N2 (g)

Question

2845 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2015-11-10T06:51:42

The correct equation is $"4NH"_2"CH"_2"COOH(s)" + "9O"_2("g")"$ $rarr$ $"8CO"_2("g") + 10"H"_2"O"("l")" + 2N"_2"$ .

It is not properly balanced. A balanced equation should have only whole number coefficients.

$"NH"_2"CH"_2"COOH(s)" + "9/4O"_2("g")"$ $rarr$ $"2CO"_2("g") + "5/2H"_2"O"("l") + "1/2N"_2("g")"$

The common denominator of the fraction coefficients is 4. Multiply all coefficients times 4.

$"4NH"_2"CH"_2"COOH(s)" + "9O"_2("g")"$ $rarr$ $"8CO"_2("g") + (5*4)/2"H"_2"O"("l")" + (1*4)/2N_2$

Simplify the fractions on the right side of the equation.

$"4NH"_2"CH"_2"COOH(s)" + "9O"_2("g")"$ $rarr$ $"8CO"_2("g") + 20/2"H"_2"O"("l")" + 4/2N_2$

Reduce the fractions on the right side.

$"4NH"_2"CH"_2"COOH(s)" + "9O"_2("g")"$ $rarr$ $"8CO"_2("g") + 10"H"_2"O"("l")" + 2N"_2"$