Question

Balance the chemical equations of the following oxidation-reduction reactions. a) HCI + HNO3 → NOCI + Cl₂ + H₂O;

b) CO + I₂O5 → CO₂ + I₂ ​

Answer 1

a) Let's balance the chemical equation for the reaction between HCl and HNO3 to form NOCl, Cl2, and H2O:

First, write the unbalanced equation:

HCl + HNO3 → NOCl + Cl2 + H2O

Now, balance it step by step:

1. Balance the atoms other than hydrogen and oxygen:

HCl + HNO3 → NOCl + Cl2 + H2O

1 1 1

2. Balance the oxygen atoms by adding water (H2O):

HCl + HNO3 → NOCl + Cl2 + H2O

1 1 1 +1

3. Balance the hydrogen atoms by adding HCl on the left side:

HCl + HNO3 → NOCl + Cl2 + H2O

1 1 +1 1 +1

4. Balance the chlorine atoms by adding Cl2 on the left side:

HCl + HNO3 → NOCl + Cl2 + H2O

1 1 +1 1 +1

Now, the equation is balanced.

b) Let's balance the chemical equation for the reaction between CO and I2O5 to form CO2 and I2:

First, write the unbalanced equation:

CO + I2O5 → CO2 + I2

Now, balance it step by step:

1. Balance the atoms other than carbon and oxygen:

CO + I2O5 → CO2 + I2

1 1

2. Balance the oxygen atoms by adding CO2 on the left side:

CO + I2O5 → CO2 + I2

1 1 +2

3. Balance the carbon atoms by adding CO on the left side:

CO + I2O5 → CO2 + I2

1 +1 +2

4. Balance the iodine atoms by adding I2 on the left side:

CO + I2O5 → CO2 + I2

1 +1 +2 +5

Now, the equation is balanced.