balance equation : PCl5 + 4H2O → H3PO4 + HCl

fist look at the first molecule on the left of the equation, the first atom is P there's 1 mole and looking at the right there is also only one. the look at the next atom Cl which has five mole, on the right there is only one so we put a 5 so we put a 5 in front of the HCl to balance.

so. PCl5 + H2O → H3PO4 + 5HCl

next molecule we look at H on the left there is two and on the right there is 3 + 5 so 8 all together.  so make there be 8 on the right we out a 4 in front of the H2O. 

so PCl5 + 4H2O → H3PO4 + 5HCl

finally look at O, there is 4 on the left and 4 on the right so that is balanced,

double check to make sure there is the same mole for every atom on both side, the left and right.  

so 1P, 5Cl, 8H and 4O and both side so the equation is balanced

Answered by Christine M. Chemistry tutor

13092 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

CuCl2 + 2NaOH --> Cu(OH)2 + 2NaCl. 100kg of CuCl2 reacts with excess Sodium Hydroxide. 50kg of Sodium Chloride is produced. Calculate the theoretical yield of Sodium Chloride, and hence the percentage yield of Iron in this reaction.


Potassium forms an ionic compound with sulfur. Describe what happens when two atoms of potassium react with one atom of sulfur. Give your answer in terms of electron transfer. Give the formulae of the ions formed. (5 marks)


What is a catalyst?


Why can samples of an element have same atomic number but different atomic masses?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences