Question

Can someone please explain step by step how to balance ${\text{Ca}} + {{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}} \to {\text{C}}{{\text{a}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}$

Answer 1

Hint: We know that a chemical is called a balanced chemical equation when the number of atoms of all elements is equal in both the product and reactant side of the reaction. While balancing a chemical equation we also need to equate charges if any charge is present.

Complete step by step answer:
In balancing a chemical equation, we have to equate the number of atoms of all elements in
both sides (product side and reactant side) of the reaction.
The given equation is,
${\text{Ca}} + {{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}} \to {\text{C}}{{\text{a}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}$
Here, there is one calcium atom at the reactant side and three calcium atoms at the product side. So, the equation is not balanced.
To balance the number of calcium atoms, we have to add coefficient 3 to the Ca at the reactant side. Now, the equation becomes,
${\text{3Ca}} + {{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}} \to {\text{C}}{{\text{a}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}$
Now, the number of calcium atoms in both sides of the reaction is 3 and the number of nitrogen atoms is 2. So, the equation is balanced.

Hence, the balanced equation is ${\text{3Ca}} + {{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}} \to {\text{C}}{{\text{a}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}$.

Additional Information:
We know that an ionic equation is also a type of equation. In this type of equation, the electrolytes in aqueous solutions are expressed in the form of dissociated ions. To balance the ionic equations, we have to balance the charges also along with the number of atoms.

Note: It is to be noted that a chemical reaction needs to be balanced to follow the law of conservation of mass. According to this law, the creation or destruction of mass is not possible. So, the number of atoms present before the reaction must be equal to the number of atoms after the reaction.