Balance the following equations. (a) SiCl₄ + H₂O → SiO₂ + HCl

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms for 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. Coefficients are used to adjust the quantities of reactants and products to achieve balance.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions. It allows chemists to predict the amounts of substances consumed and produced in a reaction based on the balanced equation. Understanding stoichiometry is essential for determining how much of each reactant is needed and how much product can be formed.

Types of Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions can be classified into several types, including synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, and double replacement. The reaction in the question is a hydrolysis reaction, where silicon tetrachloride reacts with water to produce silicon dioxide and hydrochloric acid. Recognizing the type of reaction helps in predicting the products and understanding the reaction mechanism.