Balance P₄O₁₀ + H₂O → H₃PO₄
P₄O₁₀(s) + 6 H₂O(l) → 4 H₃PO₄(aq)
Balance an equation
P₄O₁₀(s)+6H₂O(l)→4H₃PO₄(aq)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| P | 4:1 | 4:4 |
| O | 11:4 | 16:16 |
| H | 2:3 | 12:12 |
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 left. Put 4 in front of H₃PO₄.
- H: 12 on the right. Put 6 in front of H₂O (6 × 2 = 12).
- Check: P 4 = 4, O 16 = 16, H 12 = 12. Balanced.
What happens
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Phosphorus pentoxide takes up water greedily to form phosphoric acid, which is why it is used as a drying agent.
Phosphorus pentoxide and water: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for phosphorus pentoxide and water?
P₄O₁₀(s) + 6 H₂O(l) → 4 H₃PO₄(aq). The coefficients are 1, 6 and 4. Each side then has 4 P, 16 O and 12 H.
What type of reaction is phosphorus pentoxide and water?
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Phosphorus pentoxide takes up water greedily to form phosphoric acid, which is why it is used as a drying agent.
How do you balance P₄O₁₀ + H₂O → H₃PO₄?
Start with the biggest formula, P₄O₁₀: put 1 in front of it. P: 4 on the left. Put 4 in front of H₃PO₄. H: 12 on the right. Put 6 in front of H₂O (6 × 2 = 12). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.