Balance Al + CuCl₂ → AlCl₃ + Cu
2 Al(s) + 3 CuCl₂(aq) → 2 AlCl₃(aq) + 3 Cu(s)
Balance an equation
2Al(s)+3CuCl₂(aq)→2AlCl₃(aq)+3Cu(s)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 1:1 | 2:2 |
| Cu | 1:1 | 3:3 |
| Cl | 2:3 | 6:6 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, AlCl₃: put 1 in front of it.
- Al: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of Al.
- Cl: 3 on the right. Put 3/2 in front of CuCl₂ (3/2 × 2 = 3).
- Cu: 3/2 on the left. Put 3/2 in front of Cu.
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2.
- Check: Al 2 = 2, Cu 3 = 3, Cl 6 = 6. Balanced.
What happens
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Aluminium is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from copper chloride solution.
Aluminium and copper chloride: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for aluminium and copper chloride?
2 Al(s) + 3 CuCl₂(aq) → 2 AlCl₃(aq) + 3 Cu(s). The coefficients are 2, 3, 2 and 3. Each side then has 2 Al, 3 Cu and 6 Cl.
What type of reaction is aluminium and copper chloride?
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Aluminium is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from copper chloride solution.
How do you balance Al + CuCl₂ → AlCl₃ + Cu?
Start with the biggest formula, AlCl₃: put 1 in front of it. Al: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of Al. Cl: 3 on the right. Put 3/2 in front of CuCl₂ (3/2 × 2 = 3). Cu: 3/2 on the left. Put 3/2 in front of Cu. Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.