[charlie1983]

Thanks in advance!

Directions:  Write an equation for the "described" reaction below.

Problem:   Bubbles form when a metallic barium is placed in water

What I did:   Ba (s) + HOH (aq) >>>Ba(OH)2 (aq) + H2

Balance the Equation:   Ba (s) + "2" HOH (aq) >>>Ba(OH)2 (aq) + H2

Question:  Are the HYDROGENS really BALANCED?  I STILL count 3 hydrogens on the left side and 4 hydrogens on the right side. Please explain the balancing of the hydrogens shown with as much detail as you can.

Thank you very much

[Borek]

I STILL count 3 hydrogens on the left side and 4 hydrogens on the right side.

Count harder

Please explain the balancing of the hydrogens shown with as much detail as you can.

2 particles of water (H₂O, that you for some reason decided to write as HOH) containing 2 atoms of hydrogen each. 2*2= ?

http://www.chembuddy.com/?left=balancing-stoichiometry&right=balancing-reactions

[sdekivit]

Thanks in advance!


Balance the Equation:   Ba (s) + "2" HOH (aq) >>>Ba(OH)2 (aq) + H2

this is the correct equation. A general way to balance equations is solving a set of equations:

a Ba + b H₂O --> c Ba(OH)₂ + d H2

Now:

Ba --> a = c
H --> 2b = 2c + 2d
O --> b = 2c

Now use substitution to get b = 2c

Now all variables are dependent on c thus we take c = 1 for the lowest coefficients. It automatically follows a = 1, b = 2, c = 1 and d = 1.