Question

balance the following equation:
_alcl₃→_al + ___cl₂
when the equation is properly balanced, the correct coefficients are, respectively

Explanation:

Step1: Balance chlorine atoms

The left - hand side has \(3\) chlorine atoms (\(AlCl_3\)) and the right - hand side has \(2\) chlorine atoms (\(Cl_2\)). The least common multiple of \(3\) and \(2\) is \(6\). So, we put a coefficient of \(2\) in front of \(AlCl_3\) and \(3\) in front of \(Cl_2\).

$$2AlCl_3 ightarrow Al + 3Cl_2$$

Step2: Balance aluminum atoms

After balancing chlorine, we now have \(2\) aluminum atoms on the left - hand side (\(2AlCl_3\)). So, we put a coefficient of \(2\) in front of \(Al\) on the right - hand side.

$$2AlCl_3 ightarrow 2Al + 3Cl_2$$

Answer:

\(2\), \(2\), \(3\)