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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 3 coefficient.
C. The reactants both need a 2 coefficient.
D. Atoms in the equation are already in balance.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
Certainly! Let's take a detailed look at how to balance the chemical equation [tex]\( \text{ZnSO}_4 + \text{Li}_2\text{CO}_3 \rightarrow \text{ZnCO}_3 + \text{Li}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex].

First, we'll list the number of each type of atom present in the reactants and products:

### Reactants:
- Zn: 1 atom from [tex]\( \text{ZnSO}_4 \)[/tex]
- S: 1 atom from [tex]\( \text{ZnSO}_4 \)[/tex]
- O: 7 atoms (4 from [tex]\( \text{ZnSO}_4 \)[/tex] and 3 from [tex]\( \text{Li}_2\text{CO}_3 \)[/tex])
- Li: 2 atoms from [tex]\( \text{Li}_2\text{CO}_3 \)[/tex]
- C: 1 atom from [tex]\( \text{Li}_2\text{CO}_3 \)[/tex]

### Products:
- Zn: 1 atom from [tex]\( \text{ZnCO}_3 \)[/tex]
- C: 1 atom from [tex]\( \text{ZnCO}_3 \)[/tex]
- O: 7 atoms (3 from [tex]\( \text{ZnCO}_3 \)[/tex] and 4 from [tex]\( \text{Li}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex])
- Li: 2 atoms from [tex]\( \text{Li}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex]
- S: 1 atom from [tex]\( \text{Li}_2\text{SO}_4 \)[/tex]

Now, we'll compare the counts of each type of atom on both sides of the equation:

- Zinc (Zn): 1 atom on both reactants and products sides.
- Sulfur (S): 1 atom on both reactants and products sides.
- Oxygen (O): 7 atoms on both reactants and products sides.
- Lithium (Li): 2 atoms on both reactants and products sides.
- Carbon (C): 1 atom on both reactants and products sides.

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

Hence, the explanation is: Atoms in the equation are already in balance.

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