2 H₃PO₄ (aq) + 3 Zn(OH)₂ (s) → Zn₃(PO₄)₂ (s) + 6 H₂O (l)
Here's how to balance it:
1. Identify the reactants and products:
- Reactants: Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and Zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)₂)
- Products: Zinc phosphate (Zn₃(PO₄)₂) and water (H₂O)
2. Start with the most complex molecule:
- Zinc phosphate (Zn₃(PO₄)₂) has 3 zinc atoms and 2 phosphate groups.
3. Balance the zinc atoms:
- Place a coefficient of 3 in front of Zn(OH)₂ to have 3 zinc atoms on both sides.
4. Balance the phosphate groups:
- Place a coefficient of 2 in front of H₃PO₄ to have 2 phosphate groups on both sides.
5. Balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms:
- Now you have 6 hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms on the left side, and 6 hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms on the right side. The equation is balanced.
Explanation:
This reaction is a neutralization reaction where an acid (phosphoric acid) reacts with a base (zinc hydroxide) to produce a salt (zinc phosphate) and water.
