4 NH₃ + 3 O₂ → 2 N₂ + 6 H₂O
Here's how we balance the equation:
1. Identify the reactants and products:
- Reactants: Ammonia (NH₃) and Oxygen (O₂)
- Products: Nitrogen (N₂) and Water (H₂O)
2. Count the atoms of each element on both sides:
| Element | Reactants | Products |
|---------|-----------|----------|
| N | 1 | 2 |
| H | 3 | 6 |
| O | 2 | 1 |
3. Adjust coefficients to balance the number of atoms:
- Start by balancing the nitrogen (N) atoms: Place a coefficient of 2 in front of N₂ on the product side.
- Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms: Place a coefficient of 6 in front of H₂O on the product side.
- Finally, balance the oxygen (O) atoms: Place a coefficient of 3 in front of O₂ on the reactant side.
4. Verify the final balanced equation:
4 NH₃ + 3 O₂ → 2 N₂ + 6 H₂O
Now, both sides of the equation have the same number of atoms of each element:
- 4 Nitrogen atoms (N)
- 12 Hydrogen atoms (H)
- 6 Oxygen atoms (O)