Balance the chemical equation by ensuring the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides.
Assign coefficients a, b, c, and d to LiOH, AgI, LiI, and AgOH, respectively.
Solve the resulting system of equations to find the smallest whole number coefficients: a=1, b=1, c=1, d=1.
The balanced equation is 1 L i O H + 1 A g I i g h t ha r p oo n u p 1 L i I + 1 A g O H , and the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides. 1 L i O H + 1 A g I → 1 L i I + 1 A g O H .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a chemical equation: LiOH + AgI -> LiI + AgOH. We need to find the smallest whole number coefficients to balance the equation. We need to complete a table showing the number of atoms of each element (Li, O, H, Ag, I) on both the reactant and product sides.
Solution Strategy Balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients in front of each compound such that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Setting up Equations Start by assigning coefficients to each compound. Let a, b, c, and d be the coefficients for LiOH, AgI, LiI, and AgOH respectively: a LiOH + b AgI -> c LiI + d AgOH. Write equations for each element based on the coefficients: Li: a = c O: a = d H: a = d Ag: b = d I: b = c
Solving for Coefficients Solve the system of equations to find the smallest whole number values for a, b, c, and d. Since a = c, a = d, b = d, and b = c, we can set a = 1, which implies b = 1, c = 1, and d = 1.
Balanced Equation Write the balanced equation with the determined coefficients: 1 LiOH + 1 AgI -> 1 LiI + 1 AgOH.
Completing the Table Complete the table by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the balanced equation.
Element
Reactant
Products
Li
1
1
O
1
1
H
1
1
Ag
1
1
I
1
1
Final Answer The balanced equation is: 1 LiOH + 1 AgI -> 1 LiI + 1 AgOH. The completed table is:
Element
Reactant
Products
Li
1
1
O
1
1
H
1
1
Ag
1
1
I
1
1
Examples
Balancing chemical equations is crucial in various real-life applications, such as in medicine when preparing drugs, in environmental science when analyzing pollutants, and in cooking when following recipes. For instance, when preparing a medication, it's essential to have the correct ratios of reactants to ensure the desired product is formed without harmful byproducts. Similarly, in environmental science, understanding the balanced equation for a reaction helps in predicting the amount of pollutants produced under certain conditions. In cooking, balanced equations ensure the right proportions of ingredients are used to achieve the desired taste and texture.