Unbalanced Equation:
NH₄NO₃ → N₂ + H₂O
Balancing:
1. Nitrogen (N): There are two nitrogen atoms on the product side (N₂) and only one on the reactant side (NH₄NO₃). We need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of NH₄NO₃.
2. Hydrogen (H): There are eight hydrogen atoms on the reactant side (2 x 4 = 8) and only two on the product side. We need to place a coefficient of 4 in front of H₂O.
3. Oxygen (O): There are three oxygen atoms on the reactant side (NH₄NO₃) and two on the product side. We already have a coefficient in front of water, so we need to adjust the coefficient in front of ammonium nitrate. We need to place a coefficient of 2 in front of NH₄NO₃.
Balanced Equation:
2NH₄NO₃ → N₂ + 4H₂O
Answer: The coefficient that needs to be placed in front of ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) to balance the equation is 2.
