ergh science. can someone please help me...??!!!?

Question

NaHCO(3) + C(3)H(8)0(7) >> CO(2) + H(2)0 + Na(3)C(6)H(5)0(7)

can you show me or tell me how to balance this out???

Answer 1

okay, you know to count up your atoms on each side of the equation right?

Na = 1 Na = 3
C = 4 C = 7
H = 9 H = 7
O = 10 O = 10

Start with the largest molecule. Save Hydrogen until next to last and Oxygen until very last.

I started with a 3 coefficient in front of the Na on the reactant side.

Change your totals for all your atoms.

Next I put a 2 coefficient in front of the Carbon on the product side.

Change your totals.

I want to leave my H and O until last so I went back to my reactant side and put a 3 coefficient in front of the Carbon.

Change all your totals.

Then go over to your product side and see what you need to put in front of the water molecule to get the thing to balance.

Got it?