The image shows a
balanced chemical equation and a table that verifies the balance of atoms on both sides (reactants and products). Let's go through the problem step by step.
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🔬 Chemical Equation:
$$
\text{P}_4\text{O}_{10} + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 4\text{H}_3\text{PO}_4
$$
This represents the reaction between
tetraphosphorus decoxide (P₄O₁₀) and
water (H₂O) to form
phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄).
We are asked to verify if this equation is balanced — meaning the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
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✔ Step-by-step Atom Count:
We'll count atoms on both
before (reactants) and
after (products) sides.
| Element | Before (Reactants) | After (Products) |
|--------|---------------------|------------------|
|
P | P₄O₁₀ → 4 P atoms | 4 H₃PO₄ → 4 × 1 = 4 P atoms |
|
O | P₄O₁₀ has 10 O, 6 H₂O has 6×1 = 6 O → Total = 10 + 6 = 16 O | 4 H₃PO₄ → 4 × 4 = 16 O atoms |
|
H | 6 H₂O → 6 × 2 = 12 H atoms | 4 H₃PO₄ → 4 × 3 = 12 H atoms |
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📊 Summary Table (as shown in the image):
| Element | Before | After |
|--------|--------|-------|
| P | 4 | 4 |
| O | 16 | 16 |
| H | 12 | 12 |
✔ All atoms are balanced!
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✔ Conclusion:
The chemical equation:
$$
\boxed{\text{P}_4\text{O}_{10} + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 4\text{H}_3\text{PO}_4}
$$
is
correctly balanced because:
- Phosphorus (P): 4 = 4
- Oxygen (O): 16 = 16
- Hydrogen (H): 12 = 12
This means the law of conservation of mass is satisfied — no atoms are created or destroyed.
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💡 Explanation:
Balancing chemical equations ensures that the
number of atoms of each element remains the same before and after the reaction. This is crucial for accurate stoichiometric calculations in chemistry.
In this case:
- We started with
1 molecule of P₄O₁₀ and
6 molecules of H₂O.
- They react to form
4 molecules of H₃PO₄.
- The coefficients (1, 6, and 4) ensure atom balance.
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✔ Final Answer:
The equation is
balanced, as verified by the atom counts.
✔️ Balanced chemical equation:
$$
\mathbf{P_4O_{10} + 6H_2O \rightarrow 4H_3PO_4}
$$
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of simple balancing equations worksheet.