Balancing The Equation Quickly (Gchem) - Student Doctor Network

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You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Balancing the Equation quickly (Gchem)

• Thread starter Thread starter MoooShuuu
• Start date Start date Sep 23, 2008

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MoooShuuu

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1. Pre-Dental

Members do not see this ad. 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! Last edited: Oct 12, 2008 Sort by date Sort by votes M

MoooShuuu

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anyone? Upvote 0 Downvote D

DDS4tehwin

Mr. Dumbluck

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You are not gonna get anything like that on the DAT. Don't sweat. Upvote 0 Downvote

IWantSmile

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MoooShuuu said: 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! Click to expand...

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 Last edited: Oct 12, 2008 Upvote 0 Downvote

IWantSmile

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Sorry that looks more complicated. Upvote 0 Downvote W

waystinthyme

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IWantSmile said: 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 Click to expand...

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 Upvote 0 Downvote M

MoooShuuu

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thanks for the help ! Upvote 0 Downvote You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp E-mail Share Link

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