Question

balance the following equation:
al + o₂ → __al₂o₃
when the equation is properly balanced, the correct coefficients are, respectively

Explanation:

Step1: Balance oxygen atoms

The least - common multiple of 2 (from \(O_2\)) and 3 (from \(Al_2O_3\)) is 6. So, we set the coefficient of \(O_2\) as 3 (\(3\times2 = 6\) oxygen atoms) and the coefficient of \(Al_2O_3\) as 2 (\(2\times3=6\) oxygen atoms). The equation becomes \(\text{__}Al+3O_2
ightarrow2Al_2O_3\).

Step2: Balance aluminum atoms

Since there are \(2\times2 = 4\) aluminum atoms on the right - hand side (from \(2Al_2O_3\)), we set the coefficient of \(Al\) as 4. The balanced equation is \(4Al + 3O_2
ightarrow2Al_2O_3\).

Answer:

4, 3, 2