Balancing the Equation quickly (Gchem)

[MoooShuuu]

So for example:

C3H5(NO3)3 ---> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2

For this equation where it seems that nothing goes into it evenly... Is there a trick to this type of "harder" balancing question? To me it seems like this is trial and error and takes more time than I would like. Any advice or systematic approach to get the correct answer quickly!? Thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[MoooShuuu]

anyone?

 

[DDS4tehwin]

You are not gonna get anything like that on the DAT. Don't sweat.

 

[IWantSmile]

So for example:

C3H5(NO3)3 ---> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2

For this equation where it seems that nothing goes into it evenly... Is there a trick to this type of "harder" balancing question? To me it seems like this is trial and error and takes more time than I would like. Any advice or systematic approach to get the correct answer quickly!? Thank you!

Hmmm. I don't know whether it will work for you. I have an own methods to do this types of the problems;and so far it seems worked fine to me and very quick.
Whether you want to keep this methods or discard, totally it's up to you.

Here I go;
1) C3H5N3O9 -----> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2

2) In the text, they always ask to balance Carbon first but I do last and the Oxygen because it turns out simpler. so, I do Hydrogen and N2.
C3H5N3O9 -----> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2
3) (to balance the H and N) 5H2O 3N2
4) 2C3H5N3O9-----> CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + O2
5) ( then, to balance C) 6CO2
2C3H5N3O9-----> 6CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + O2
(Then look at coefficient # of O )
6) 18 O ------> 17 O + O2
7) 2C3H5N3O9-----> 6CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + (1/2)O2
Is it correct? 2C3H5N3O9 ------> 6CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + (1/2) O2

 

[IWantSmile]

Sorry that looks more complicated.

 

[waystinthyme]

Hmmm. I don't know whether it will work for you. I have an own methods to do this types of the problems;and so far it seems worked fine to me and very quick.
Whether you want to keep this methods or discard, totally it's up to you.

Here I go;
1) C3H5N3O9 -----> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2

2) In the text, they always ask to balance Carbon first but I do last and the Oxygen because it turns out simpler. so, I do Hydrogen and N2.
C3H5N3O9 -----> CO2 + H2O + N2 + O2
3) (to balance the H and N) 5H2O 3N2
4) 2C3H5N3O9-----> CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + O2
5) ( then, to balance C) 6CO2
2C3H5N3O9-----> 6CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + O2
(Then look at coefficient # of O )
6) 18 O ------> 17 O + O2
7) 2C3H5N3O9-----> 6CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + (1/2)O2
Is it correct? 2C3H5N3O9 ------> 6CO2 + 5H2O + 3N2 + (1/2) O2

this is the right way to go about this problem...the last step is just to multiply both sides by 2 to get rid of your fraction, so you end up with...

4C3H5N3O9------> 12CO2 + 10H2O + 6N2 + O2

just to add a little, i think the last step in iwantsmile's method is most important. i often use fractions to even out both sides of the equation and then multiply both sides at the end to get rid of the fraction. if you try to do it from the beginning with no fractions, it gets really really complicated, and more of a 'guess and check' type method than a methodical strategy. as others have said before though, i highly doubt you'll get anything this complicated on the actual test.

-waystinthyme

 

[MoooShuuu]

thanks for the help !