Balance this net ionic equation.
K(s) + H2O(ℓ) → K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H2(g)
2K(s) + 2H2O(ℓ) →2 K+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) + H2(g)
To balance the net ionic equation, you need to ensure that both sides of the equation have the same number and type of atoms. Here's the step-by-step process to balance this equation:
1. Start by writing the unbalanced equation:
K(s) + H2O(ℓ) → K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H2(g)
2. Balance the uncharged atoms first. In this case, the only uncharged atom is hydrogen (H). The unbalanced hydrogen atoms on the left (H2O) can be balanced with the H2 on the right side:
K(s) + H2O(ℓ) → K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H2(g)
3. Next, balance the charge. The positive charge on the right side (K+) can be balanced by adding an electron (e-) to the left side of the equation:
K(s) + H2O(ℓ) + e- → K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H2(g)
4. Finally, balance the oxygen atoms. The unbalanced oxygen atom is on the left side (H2O). To balance it, add an OH- ion to the left side:
K(s) + H2O(ℓ) + e- → K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H2(g) + OH-(aq)
Now the equation is balanced, and the net ionic equation is:
K(s) + 2H2O(ℓ) + 2e- → 2K+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) + H2(g)
To balance the net ionic equation, we need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Here's how you can balance this net ionic equation step by step:
Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation:
K(s) + H2O(ℓ) → K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H2(g)
Step 2: Balance the hydrogen (H) atoms:
There are 2 hydrogen atoms on the reactant side and 2 hydrogen atoms on the product side, so hydrogen is already balanced.
Step 3: Balance the oxygen (O) atoms:
There is 1 oxygen atom in water (H2O) and 1 oxygen atom in the hydroxide ion (OH-), so this is already balanced.
Step 4: Balance the potassium (K) atoms:
There is 1 potassium atom on the reactant side and 1 potassium atom on the product side, so potassium is already balanced.
Step 5: Balance the charges:
The reactants have a charge of 0 (neutral) because the potassium atom donates its electron to form the potassium ion (K+). On the product side, there is one positively charged ion (K+) and one negatively charged ion (OH-). The charges are already balanced.
Overall, the net ionic equation is already balanced and does not need any further adjustments:
K(s) + H2O(ℓ) → K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + H2(g)
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.