2 NH₄Cl(s) + Ca(OH)₂(s) → 2 NH₃(g) + 2 H₂O(l) + CaCl₂(aq)
Explanation:
* Reactants:
* Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) is a solid salt.
* Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) is also a solid compound, often called slaked lime.
* Products:
* Ammonia (NH₃) is a colorless gas with a pungent odor.
* Water (H₂O) is a liquid.
* Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is a soluble salt that forms an aqueous solution (aq).
Balancing the Equation:
1. Start with the most complex molecule: Ca(OH)₂. There is 1 calcium (Ca), 2 oxygen (O), and 2 hydrogen (H) atoms on the left side.
2. Balance calcium (Ca): Put a coefficient of 1 in front of CaCl₂ on the right side.
3. Balance oxygen (O): There are 2 oxygen atoms on the left side. Put a coefficient of 2 in front of H₂O on the right side.
4. Balance hydrogen (H): There are now 4 hydrogen atoms on the right side. Put a coefficient of 2 in front of NH₄Cl on the left side to balance the hydrogen.
5. Balance nitrogen (N): The nitrogen is now automatically balanced with 2 nitrogen atoms on each side.
The equation is now balanced with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides.