Answer:
To balance the chemical equation __ N2 + __ O2 → __ NO, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
1. Start by counting the number of atoms of each element on the left side (reactants) and the right side (products) of the equation.
On the left side:
- We have 1 atom of nitrogen (N) from N2.
- We have 2 atoms of oxygen (O) from O2.
On the right side:
- We have 1 atom of nitrogen (N) from NO.
- We have 1 atom of oxygen (O) from NO.
2. To balance the nitrogen (N) atoms, we need the same number on both sides. In this case, we already have 1 N atom on each side, so it is balanced.
3. Now let's balance the oxygen (O) atoms. We have 2 O atoms on the left side and only 1 O atom on the right side. To balance them, we need to add another O atom to the right side.
4. By adding 1/2 O2 to the right side, we will have 2 O atoms on both sides:
__ N2 + 1/2 O2 → __ NO
5. Lastly, let's balance the coefficients (numbers in front of the molecules). Since we have 2 N atoms on the left side, we need 2 NO molecules on the right side to balance them:
__ N2 + 1/2 O2 → 2 NO
Therefore, the balanced chemical equation is:
N2 + 1/2 O2 → 2 NO