Balance NH₃ + O₂ → NO + H₂O
4 NH₃(g) + 5 O₂(g) → 4 NO(g) + 6 H₂O(g)
Balance an equation
4NH₃(g)+5O₂(g)→4NO(g)+6H₂O(g)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| N | 1:1 | 4:4 |
| H | 3:2 | 12:12 |
| O | 2:2 | 10:10 |
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, NH₃: put 1 in front of it.
- N: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of NO.
- H: 3 on the left. Put 3/2 in front of H₂O (3/2 × 2 = 3).
- O: 5/2 on the right. Put 5/4 in front of O₂ (5/4 × 2 = 5/2).
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 4.
- Check: N 4 = 4, H 12 = 12, O 10 = 10. Balanced.
What happens
It is a redox reaction: one substance is oxidised while another is reduced. Ammonia is oxidised to nitric oxide over a hot platinum gauze. This is the first step in making nitric acid.
Ammonia and oxygen: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for ammonia and oxygen?
4 NH₃(g) + 5 O₂(g) → 4 NO(g) + 6 H₂O(g). The coefficients are 4, 5, 4 and 6. Each side then has 4 N, 12 H and 10 O.
What type of reaction is ammonia and oxygen?
It is a redox reaction: one substance is oxidised while another is reduced. Ammonia is oxidised to nitric oxide over a hot platinum gauze. This is the first step in making nitric acid.
How do you balance NH₃ + O₂ → NO + H₂O?
Start with the biggest formula, NH₃: put 1 in front of it. N: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of NO. H: 3 on the left. Put 3/2 in front of H₂O (3/2 × 2 = 3). O: 5/2 on the right. Put 5/4 in front of O₂ (5/4 × 2 = 5/2). Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 4. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.