Chapter 8: Problem 86

Hydrogen gas is produced when elemental tin reacts with HF to produce hydrogen and tin(II) fluoride. Write the balanced equation for this reaction.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The balanced equation for the reaction between elemental tin and hydrogen fluoride to produce hydrogen gas and tin(II) fluoride is: \( Sn + 2HF → 2H2 + SnF2 \)

Step by step solution

1. Write the unbalanced chemical equation

First, we need to write the unbalanced chemical equation using the correct chemical formulas for the reactants and the products. The reactants are elemental tin (Sn) and hydrogen fluoride (HF), and the products are hydrogen gas (H2) and tin(II) fluoride (SnF2). The unbalanced equation is: Sn + HF → H2 + SnF2

2. Identify the atoms to balance

Next, we need to identify the atoms that need to be balanced in the equation. In this case, those are the tin (Sn), hydrogen (H), and fluorine (F) atoms.

3. Balance the tin atoms (Sn)

There is one tin atom on the reactant side and one tin atom on the product side, so the tin atoms are already balanced.

4. Balance the hydrogen atoms (H)

On the reactant side, there are two hydrogen atoms in HF (because the balance of the fluorine atoms is not yet balanced). On the product side, there are two hydrogen atoms in H2. Therefore, for balancing the hydrogen atoms, we don't need to do anything, as the hydrogen atoms are already balanced for now.

5. Balance the fluorine atoms (F)

On the reactant side, there is one fluorine atom in HF and on the product side, there are two fluorine atoms in SnF2. So, we need to add a coefficient of 2 in front of the HF in the reactants to ensure there are as many fluorine atoms as in the products: Sn + 2HF → H2 + SnF2

6. Check the balance of hydrogen atoms (H) again

Now that we have balanced the fluorine atoms, we need to check if the hydrogen atoms are still balanced. On the reactant side, there are now four hydrogen atoms (2 moles of HF have 2 × 2 = 4 hydrogen atoms), and on the product side, there are two hydrogen atoms in H2. To balance the equation, put a coefficient of 2 in front of the H2 on the product side. Sn + 2HF → 2H2 + SnF2

7. Verify the balanced equation

Finally, let's verify that the balanced equation is correct. For each type of atom, count the number on both sides of the equation. Tin: 1 on both sides; Hydrogen: 4 on both sides (2 × 2 = 4); Fluorine: 2 on both sides. Thus, the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between elemental tin and hydrogen fluoride to produce hydrogen gas and tin(II) fluoride is: Sn + 2HF → 2H2 + SnF2

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Hydrogen gas is produced when elemental tin reacts with HF to produce hydrogen and tin(II) fluoride. Write the balanced equation for this reaction.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

1. Write the unbalanced chemical equation

2. Identify the atoms to balance

3. Balance the tin atoms (Sn)

4. Balance the hydrogen atoms (H)

5. Balance the fluorine atoms (F)

6. Check the balance of hydrogen atoms (H) again

7. Verify the balanced equation

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