Question

balance the following equation:

_al + _cucl₂ →_cu + _alcl₃

when the equation is properly balanced, the correct coefficients are, respectively

Explanation:

Step1: Balance Cl atoms

Find the least - common multiple of 2 (from \(CuCl_2\)) and 3 (from \(AlCl_3\)), which is 6. So, put 3 in front of \(CuCl_2\) and 2 in front of \(AlCl_3\):
\(Al+3CuCl_2
ightarrow Cu + 2AlCl_3\)

Step2: Balance Al and Cu atoms

Now, for Al, since there are 2 \(Al\) atoms in \(2AlCl_3\), put 2 in front of \(Al\). For Cu, since there are 3 \(Cu\) atoms in \(3CuCl_2\), put 3 in front of \(Cu\). The balanced equation is:
\(2Al + 3CuCl_2
ightarrow3Cu+2AlCl_3\)

Answer:

2, 3, 3, 2