Question

a. balance the following equations.

1. ____ na + __o₂ → ____na₂o

Explanation:

Step1: Balance O atoms

On the left, $O_2$ has 2 O atoms. On the right, $Na_2O$ has 1 O atom. So we put a coefficient of 2 in front of $Na_2O$ to make O atoms equal: $Na + O_2
ightarrow 2Na_2O$. Now O atoms: 2 (left) = 2 (right).

Step2: Balance Na atoms

After Step1, right has $2\times2 = 4$ Na atoms. So put 4 in front of Na: $4Na + O_2
ightarrow 2Na_2O$. Now Na atoms: 4 (left) = 4 (right), and O atoms: 2 (left) = 2 (right).

Answer:

4, 1, 2 (coefficients for Na, $O_2$, $Na_2O$ respectively)