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Lexi is balancing equations. She is finding one equation to be very difficult to balance. Which explains how to balance the equation [tex]$ZnSO_4 + Li_2CO_3 \rightarrow ZnCO_3 + Li_2SO_4$[/tex]?

A. One reactant and one product need the coefficient 2.
B. The products both need a coefficient of 3.
C. The reactants both need a coefficient of 2.
D. Atoms in the equation are already balanced.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
Sure, I can help explain how to balance a chemical equation, and specifically address the given equation:

[tex]\[ \text{ZnSO}_4 + \text{Li}_2\text{CO}_3 \rightarrow \text{ZnCO}_3 + \text{Li}_2\text{SO}_4 \][/tex]

Balancing a chemical equation means ensuring that you have the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Let's go through it step by step.

1. Identify the elements in the equation: The elements involved in this equation are Zinc (Zn), Sulfur (S), Oxygen (O), Lithium (Li), and Carbon (C).

2. Count the atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:

- Reactants:
- Zn: 1 (from ZnSO₄)
- S: 1 (from ZnSO₄)
- O: 4 (from ZnSO₄) + 3 (from Li₂CO₃) = 7
- Li: 2 (from Li₂CO₃)
- C: 1 (from Li₂CO₃)

- Products:
- Zn: 1 (from ZnCO₃)
- S: 1 (from Li₂SO₄)
- O: 3 (from ZnCO₃) + 4 (from Li₂SO₄) = 7
- Li: 2 (from Li₂SO₄)
- C: 1 (from ZnCO₃)

3. Check for balance:
- Zn: 1 on both sides
- S: 1 on both sides
- O: 7 on both sides
- Li: 2 on both sides
- C: 1 on both sides

Since you have the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, the equation is already balanced.

Hence, the correct description of this balanced equation is:
- Atoms in the equation are already in balance.

Therefore, no coefficients are needed, and the equation remains as:
[tex]\[ \text{ZnSO}_4 + \text{Li}_2\text{CO}_3 \rightarrow \text{ZnCO}_3 + \text{Li}_2\text{SO}_4 \][/tex]

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