Understanding the Reactants
* Calcium (Ca): A reactive metal.
* Hydrochloric Acid (HCl): A strong acid.
The Reaction
Calcium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce calcium chloride (CaCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
The Unbalanced Equation
Ca + HCl → CaCl2 + H2
Balancing the Equation
1. Count the atoms:
* Ca: 1 on each side
* H: 1 on the left, 2 on the right
* Cl: 1 on the left, 2 on the right
2. Adjust coefficients:
* Put a 2 in front of HCl to balance the Cl atoms:
Ca + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2
* Now the H atoms are also balanced.
The Balanced Chemical Equation
Ca + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2
