Balance P₄ + O₂ → P₄O₁₀
P₄(s) + 5 O₂(g) → P₄O₁₀(s)
Balance an equation
P₄(s)+5O₂(g)→P₄O₁₀(s)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| P | 4:4 | 4:4 |
| O | 2:10 | 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, P₄O₁₀: put 1 in front of it.
- P: 4 on the right. Put 1 in front of P₄ (1 × 4 = 4).
- O: 10 on the right. Put 5 in front of O₂ (5 × 2 = 10).
- Check: P 4 = 4, O 10 = 10. Balanced.
What happens
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. White phosphorus catches fire in air and burns to a white smoke of phosphorus pentoxide, P₄O₁₀. It is stored under water.
Phosphorus and oxygen: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for phosphorus and oxygen?
P₄(s) + 5 O₂(g) → P₄O₁₀(s). The coefficients are 1, 5 and 1. Each side then has 4 P and 10 O.
What type of reaction is phosphorus and oxygen?
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. White phosphorus catches fire in air and burns to a white smoke of phosphorus pentoxide, P₄O₁₀. It is stored under water.
How do you balance P₄ + O₂ → P₄O₁₀?
Start with the biggest formula, P₄O₁₀: put 1 in front of it. P: 4 on the right. Put 1 in front of P₄ (1 × 4 = 4). O: 10 on the right. Put 5 in front of O₂ (5 × 2 = 10). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.