Question

what is the balanced equation for this reaction? hf + ca(oh)₂ → 2hf + ca(oh)₂ → 2h₂o + caf₂ hf + ca(oh)₂ → h₂o + 2caf₂ hf + ca(oh)₂ → h₂o + caf₂

Explanation:

Step1: Count atoms on both sides

For the un - balanced equation \(HF + Ca(OH)_2\to\), count the number of each atom. On the left - hand side (LHS): \(H\) atoms: \(1 + 2=3\) (1 from \(HF\) and 2 from \(Ca(OH)_2\)), \(F\) atoms: 1, \(Ca\) atoms: 1, \(O\) atoms: 2.
On the right - hand side (RHS) for \(H_2O+CaF_2\): \(H\) atoms: 2, \(O\) atoms: 1, \(Ca\) atoms: 1, \(F\) atoms: 2.

Step2: Balance \(F\) atoms

To balance \(F\) atoms, since there are 2 \(F\) atoms in \(CaF_2\) on the RHS, we put a coefficient of 2 in front of \(HF\) on the LHS. The equation becomes \(2HF + Ca(OH)_2\to\). Now for \(H\) atoms on LHS: \(2\times1+2 = 4\) (2 from \(2HF\) and 2 from \(Ca(OH)_2\)), \(F\) atoms: 2, \(Ca\) atoms: 1, \(O\) atoms: 2.

Step3: Balance \(H\) and \(O\) atoms

For \(H\) and \(O\) atoms, if we have \(2H_2O\) on the RHS. For \(H\) atoms: \(2\times2 = 4\) (from \(2H_2O\)), \(O\) atoms: \(2\times1=2\). The balanced equation is \(2HF + Ca(OH)_2=2H_2O + CaF_2\).

Answer:

\(2HF + Ca(OH)_2 = 2H_2O+CaF_2\) (the first option \(2HF + Ca(OH)_2\to2H_2O + CaF_2\))