Adding Back Spectator Ions When Balancing Equations

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around balancing a chemical equation involving BrO3-, NH3OH+, and H2O, with the addition of spectator ions K+ and Cl-. The user initially struggles with balancing the equation after incorporating KBrO3 and NH3OHCl, noting discrepancies in the number of potassium and chlorine ions on both sides. A suggestion is made to check the charges for balance, which leads to the realization that the original reaction was not balanced. Ultimately, the user finds the solution to their problem after recognizing an oversight in the number of H3O+ ions. The conversation highlights the importance of ensuring both mass and charge balance in chemical equations.
Christina-
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Here is what I have:
BrO_{3}^{-} + NH_{3}OH^{+} + H_{2}O --> Br^{-} + NO_{3}^{-} + 2H_{3}O^{+}

I'm adding back spectator ions, K+ and Cl-.
KBrO_{3} + NH_{3}OHCl + H_{2}O --> KBr + KNO_{3} + 2H_{3}O^{+} + HCl

As you can see I have 1 K and 1 Cl on the left, but 2 K and 1 Cl on the right. And because I was required to add HCl, another hydrogen has been added (unbalancing the equation).
How would I go about solving this problem? Would I add more hydrogen to the left side? And what would I do about the unbalanced # of K's?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
First of all - original reaction is not balanced. Read this balancing lecture to learn how to check if the reaction is balanced.

Hint: check charges.
 
The charges are balanced. :S I just figured out the answer though. Thanks for your help anyway. :)
 
Oops, sorry, missed 2 before H3O+ :blushing:
 
Thread 'Confusion regarding a chemical kinetics problem'
TL;DR Summary: cannot find out error in solution proposed. [![question with rate laws][1]][1] Now the rate law for the reaction (i.e reaction rate) can be written as: $$ R= k[N_2O_5] $$ my main question is, WHAT is this reaction equal to? what I mean here is, whether $$k[N_2O_5]= -d[N_2O_5]/dt$$ or is it $$k[N_2O_5]= -1/2 \frac{d}{dt} [N_2O_5] $$ ? The latter seems to be more apt, as the reaction rate must be -1/2 (disappearance rate of N2O5), which adheres to the stoichiometry of the...
Back
Top