1. Write the Unbalanced Equation:
* Reactants: Sodium phosphate (Na₃PO₄) and calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂)
* Products: Calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂) and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃)
The unbalanced equation is:
Na₃PO₄ + Ca(NO₃)₂ → Ca₃(PO₄)₂ + NaNO₃
2. Balance the Equation:
* Step 1: Focus on the calcium (Ca). There is one Ca on the left side and three on the right side. Place a coefficient of 3 in front of Ca(NO₃)₂.
* Step 2: Now there are six nitrates (NO₃) on the left side. To balance this, place a coefficient of 6 in front of NaNO₃.
* Step 3: This gives you six sodiums (Na) on the right side. To balance, place a coefficient of 2 in front of Na₃PO₄.
* Step 4: Finally, the phosphates (PO₄) are balanced with two on each side.
The balanced chemical equation is:
2 Na₃PO₄ + 3 Ca(NO₃)₂ → Ca₃(PO₄)₂ + 6 NaNO₃
Explanation:
This reaction is a double displacement reaction, where the positive and negative ions of the reactants swap places. This results in the formation of calcium phosphate, which is a white precipitate, and sodium nitrate, which remains in solution.
