N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃
Here's the breakdown:
* N₂: Nitrogen gas is a diatomic molecule, meaning it exists as two nitrogen atoms bonded together.
* 3H₂: Hydrogen gas is also diatomic, so it exists as two hydrogen atoms bonded together. We need three molecules of H₂ to provide the necessary hydrogen atoms.
* 2NH₃: The product, ammonia, is formed with one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms. We get two molecules of NH₃ as a result of the reaction.
This equation is balanced because there are equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation:
* Nitrogen: 2 on both sides
* Hydrogen: 6 on both sides