Math

QuestionBalance the chemical equation for the decomposition of solid potassium hydroxide (KOH) into solid potassium oxide and water vapor.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

Assumptions1. The decomposition reaction involves solid potassium hydroxide (KOH) breaking down into solid potassium oxide (K) and gaseous water (H). . The reaction obeys the law of conservation of mass, meaning the number of atoms of each element in the reactants must equal the number of atoms of each element in the products.

STEP 2

First, write down the unbalanced chemical equation for the reaction.KOHK2+H2KOH \rightarrow K2 + H2

STEP 3

Now, we need to balance the equation. Start by balancing the potassium (K) atoms. There are2 potassium atoms on the product side (in K2) and only1 on the reactant side (in KOH). So, we place a coefficient of2 in front of KOH.
2KOHK2+H22KOH \rightarrow K2 + H2

STEP 4

Next, balance the oxygen () atoms. There are2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side (in2KOH) and also2 on the product side (1 in K2 and1 in H2). So, the oxygen atoms are already balanced.

STEP 5

Finally, balance the hydrogen (H) atoms. There are2 hydrogen atoms on the reactant side (in2KOH) and only1 on the product side (in H2). So, we place a coefficient of2 in front of H2.
2KOHK2+2H22KOH \rightarrow K2 +2H2

STEP 6

Now, verify that the equation is balanced. There should be the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.
On the left side (reactants), we have-2 potassium atoms-2 oxygen atoms-2 hydrogen atomsOn the right side (products), we have-2 potassium atoms (in K2) -2 oxygen atoms (1 in K2 and1 in2H2) -2 hydrogen atoms (in2H2)
Since the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides, the equation is balanced.
The balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of potassium hydroxide is2KOHK2+2H22KOH \rightarrow K2 +2H2

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