Question

Write the steps for balancing the chemical equation for the formation of ammonia by the combination of nitrogen and hydrogen.

Answer 1

i. First, write unbalanced equation for the given reaction.
N₂ + H₂ → NH₃
ii. Examine the number of atoms of each element present in the unbalanced equation.
iii. To balance hydrogen on left hand side, put coefficient ‘3’ as ‘3H₂’.
N₂ + 3H₂ → NH₃
iv. To balance hydrogen atoms on right hand side, put coefficient ‘2’ as ‘2NH₃’.
N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃

v. Now consider the element nitrogen. Nitrogen atoms are 2, on both, left and right hand side.
vi. Thus, balanced chemical equation is:
N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃