Balance Al + HCl → AlCl₃ + H₂
2 Al(s) + 6 HCl(aq) → 2 AlCl₃(aq) + 3 H₂(g)
Balance an equation
2Al(s)+6HCl(aq)→2AlCl₃(aq)+3H₂(g)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 1:1 | 2:2 |
| H | 1:2 | 6:6 |
| Cl | 1:3 | 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 in front of HCl.
- H: 3 on the left. Put 3/2 in front of H₂ (3/2 × 2 = 3).
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2.
- Check: Al 2 = 2, H 6 = 6, 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 displaces hydrogen from dilute hydrochloric acid, giving aluminium chloride and hydrogen.
Aluminium and hydrochloric acid: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for aluminium and hydrochloric acid?
2 Al(s) + 6 HCl(aq) → 2 AlCl₃(aq) + 3 H₂(g). The coefficients are 2, 6, 2 and 3. Each side then has 2 Al, 6 H and 6 Cl.
What type of reaction is aluminium and hydrochloric acid?
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Aluminium displaces hydrogen from dilute hydrochloric acid, giving aluminium chloride and hydrogen.
How do you balance Al + HCl → AlCl₃ + H₂?
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 in front of HCl. H: 3 on the left. Put 3/2 in front of H₂ (3/2 × 2 = 3). Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.