Question

questions:

1. balance this reaction:

____ (nh₄)₂co₃ → __nh₃ + __ co₂ + ____ h₂o

1. what type of reaction is this?________________________

office of science, prek - 12
baltimore county public schools
june 13, 2025

Explanation:

Step1: Balance nitrogen atoms

Count nitrogen atoms. In \((NH_4)_2CO_3\), there are 2 nitrogen atoms. In \(NH_3\), we put a coefficient of 2. So far: \(1(NH_4)_2CO_3
ightarrow2NH_3 + CO_2+H_2O\)

Step2: Balance hydrogen atoms

In \(1(NH_4)_2CO_3\), there are \(4\times2 = 8\) hydrogen atoms. In \(2NH_3\), there are \(2\times3=6\) hydrogen atoms. In \(H_2O\), we need 1 more water molecule (total 2 water molecules). Now: \(1(NH_4)_2CO_3
ightarrow2NH_3 + CO_2 + 1H_2O\)

Step3: Check carbon and oxygen atoms

Carbon: 1 in \((NH_4)_2CO_3\) and 1 in \(CO_2\). Oxygen: 3 in \((NH_4)_2CO_3\), \(2\) in \(CO_2\) and \(1\) in \(H_2O\) (total \(2 + 1=3\)). The balanced equation is \(1(NH_4)_2CO_3
ightarrow2NH_3+1CO_2 + 1H_2O\)

For the type of reaction:

• A decomposition reaction is a reaction in which a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. Here \((NH_4)_2CO_3\) breaks down into \(NH_3\), \(CO_2\) and \(H_2O\)

Answer:

1. \(1\ (NH_4)_2CO_3

ightarrow2\ NH_3 + 1\ CO_2+1\ H_2O\)

1. Decomposition reaction