To balance the chemical equation for the reaction between potassium (K) and chlorine gas (Cl₂) to form potassium chloride (KCl), follow these steps:
1. Write the unbalanced equation:
[tex]\[ K + Cl_2 \rightarrow KCl \][/tex]
2. Count the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation:
- Reactants:
- K: 1
- Cl: 2
- Products:
- K: 1
- Cl: 1
3. Note that chlorine is not balanced; there are 2 chlorine atoms on the reactant side but only 1 on the product side.
4. Adjust the coefficient of KCl to balance the chlorine atoms:
[tex]\[ K + Cl_2 \rightarrow 2KCl \][/tex]
5. Now recount the atoms:
- Reactants:
- K: 1
- Cl: 2
- Products:
- K: 2
- Cl: 2
6. Note that potassium is now unbalanced; there are 2 potassium atoms on the product side but only 1 on the reactant side.
7. Adjust the coefficient of potassium (K) to balance the potassium atoms:
[tex]\[ 2K + Cl_2 \rightarrow 2KCl \][/tex]
8. Final check:
- Reactants:
- K: 2
- Cl: 2
- Products:
- K: 2
- Cl: 2
The equation is now balanced. The final balanced chemical equation for the reaction between potassium and chlorine gas to form potassium chloride is:
[tex]\[ 2K + Cl_2 \rightarrow 2KCl \][/tex]
