Question

balance the following equation:

_k + _h₂o→_koh + _h₂

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

Explanation:

Step1: Balance hydrogen atoms

Let the coefficients of \(K\), \(H_2O\), \(KOH\), \(H_2\) be \(a\), \(b\), \(c\), \(d\) respectively. The chemical equation is \(aK + bH_2O
ightarrow cKOH + dH_2\).
For hydrogen atoms: \(2b=c + 2d\).

Step2: Balance potassium atoms

For potassium atoms: \(a = c\).

Step3: Balance oxygen atoms

For oxygen atoms: \(b=c\).
Let \(c = 2\) (by trial - and - error to simplify the ratio). Then \(a=2\), \(b = 2\).
Substitute into the hydrogen - atom balance equation: \(2\times2=2+2d\), \(4 = 2+2d\), \(2d=2\), \(d = 1\).

Answer:

\(2\), \(2\), \(2\), \(1\)