Question

lets see if you can balance an equation with imaginary elements.
it seems like youre pretty savvy with balancing chemical equations. before we pass you on to test your skills for points, lets see if you can balance this equation on your own. dont worry about not recognizing these elements, theyre not real. we made up the symbols. you should be able to balance it just the same as youve done before.
hint: you wont be able to avoid balancing the hydrogens and the oxygen atoms since you dont know which ones are hydrogen and oxygen atoms. try to start by balancing an element that is only found in one molecule on the reactants side and one molecule on the product side.

Explanation:

Step1: Balance element C

On the left - hand side, there is 1 C atom (in \(CD_3\)), and on the right - hand side, there is 1 C atom (in \(J_3CP_3\)). So, the coefficient for \(CD_3\) can be 1 for now.

Step2: Balance element D

Let the coefficient of \(CD_3\) be \(a = 1\), the coefficient of \(J_2P\) be \(b\), the coefficient of \(J_3CP_3\) be \(c\), and the coefficient of \(JD\) be \(d\). From the D atoms: \(3a=d\). Since \(a = 1\), then \(d = 3\).

Step3: Balance element J

From the J atoms: \(2b=3c + d\). Substitute \(d = 3\). Let's first balance P atoms.

Step4: Balance element P

From the P atoms: \(b = 3c\). Substitute \(b = 3c\) into \(2b=3c + d\). We get \(2\times(3c)=3c + 3\).

$$6c-3c=3$$

$$3c = 3$$

$$c = 1$$

If \(c = 1\), then \(b=3\)

Answer:

\(1CD_3+3J_2P
ightarrow1J_3CP_3 + 3JD\)