Balancing Chemical Equation for Calcium Bromide and Sodium Phosphate

[Bashyboy]

[b]1. Homework Statement [/b] Hi,
I am trying to write and balance the chemical equation between calcium bromide and sodium phosphate.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

3 CaBr2 + 2 Na3PO4 ----> 2 CaPO4 + 6NaBr

That was the final step in my attempts. How do I balance this?

 

[Borek]

Your formula of calcium phosphate is wrong.

 

[Bashyboy]

Should it possibly be Ca3(PO4)2?

 

[Borek]

Yes.

 

[DeeNos]

I would like to commend you for taking the initiative to balance this chemical equation. Balancing chemical equations is an important skill in chemistry as it ensures that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation are equal, thus following the law of conservation of mass.

Looking at your final attempt, it seems like you have successfully balanced the equation. However, I would suggest writing the coefficients as whole numbers, so the balanced equation would be:

3 CaBr2 + 2 Na3PO4 ---> Ca3(PO4)2 + 6 NaBr

To balance a chemical equation, you need to start by writing out the chemical formulas of all the reactants and products. Then, count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. In this case, we have:

- Calcium (Ca): 3 on the left and 3 on the right
- Bromine (Br): 6 on the left and 6 on the right
- Sodium (Na): 6 on the left and 6 on the right
- Phosphorus (P): 2 on the left and 2 on the right
- Oxygen (O): 8 on the left and 8 on the right (Note: Oxygen is usually balanced last, as it is often present in more than one compound)

Since the number of atoms for each element is already equal, the equation is balanced.

In summary, your final attempt is correct, but I would suggest using whole numbers as coefficients in the balanced equation. Keep up the good work!