The reaction of A2 (red spheres) with B2 (blue spheres) is shown in the diagram. What is the balanced chemical equa-tion? (LO 3.1) (a) 2 A2 + 6 B2 ---> 4 AB3 (b) 4 A + 12 B ---> 4 AB3 (c) 4 A + 12 B ---> A4 + B12 (d) A2 + 3 B2 ---> 2 AB3

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction. The reactants are A2 and B2, and the product is AB3.
2. Step 2: Determine the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and products. A2 has 2 A atoms, B2 has 2 B atoms, and AB3 has 1 A atom and 3 B atoms.
3. Step 3: Balance the equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Start by balancing the A atoms.
4. Step 4: Balance the B atoms by adjusting the coefficients of B2 and AB3.
5. Step 5: Verify that the equation is balanced by counting the atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve equal atom counts.

Molecular Formulas

Molecular formulas represent the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule. For example, A2 indicates a molecule consisting of two atoms of element A, while B2 consists of two atoms of element B. Understanding molecular formulas is crucial for determining how reactants combine and the products formed in a chemical reaction.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows chemists to predict the amounts of substances consumed and produced based on balanced equations. This concept is essential for solving problems related to chemical reactions, such as determining how much of each reactant is needed to produce a desired amount of product.