Balance HNO₃ + Ca(OH)₂ → Ca(NO₃)₂ + H₂O
2 HNO₃(aq) + Ca(OH)₂(aq) → Ca(NO₃)₂(aq) + 2 H₂O(l)
Balance an equation
2HNO₃(aq)+Ca(OH)₂(aq)→Ca(NO₃)₂(aq)+2H₂O(l)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| H | 3:2 | 4:4 |
| N | 1:2 | 2:2 |
| O | 5:7 | 8:8 |
| Ca | 1:1 | 1:1 |
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, Ca(NO₃)₂: put 1 in front of it.
- N: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of HNO₃.
- Ca: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of Ca(OH)₂.
- H: 4 on the left. Put 2 in front of H₂O (2 × 2 = 4).
- Check: H 4 = 4, N 2 = 2, O 8 = 8, Ca 1 = 1. Balanced.
What happens
It is a neutralisation reaction: an acid, or an acidic oxide, reacts with a base to give a salt and water. Nitric acid neutralises calcium hydroxide to give calcium nitrate and water. The Class 10 book asks you to balance it.
Nitric acid and calcium hydroxide: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for nitric acid and calcium hydroxide?
2 HNO₃(aq) + Ca(OH)₂(aq) → Ca(NO₃)₂(aq) + 2 H₂O(l). The coefficients are 2, 1, 1 and 2. Each side then has 4 H, 2 N, 8 O and 1 Ca.
What type of reaction is nitric acid and calcium hydroxide?
It is a neutralisation reaction: an acid, or an acidic oxide, reacts with a base to give a salt and water. Nitric acid neutralises calcium hydroxide to give calcium nitrate and water. The Class 10 book asks you to balance it.
How do you balance HNO₃ + Ca(OH)₂ → Ca(NO₃)₂ + H₂O?
Start with the biggest formula, Ca(NO₃)₂: put 1 in front of it. N: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of HNO₃. Ca: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of Ca(OH)₂. H: 4 on the left. Put 2 in front of H₂O (2 × 2 = 4). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.