Question

$2N{H_3} + xC{l_2}(excess) \to yNC{l_3} + 3{H_2}$ The value of x and y is:
A. $x = 3$ , $y = 2$
B. $x = 2$ , $y = 2$
C. $x = 1$ , $y = 3$
D. $x = 3$ , $y = 1$

Answer 1

For a reaction to be balanced on both the sides, the number of each element and the charge on both the sides of the equation should be equal. A coefficient is a number that we place in front of a chemical formula.

Complete step by step solution: According to the law of conservation of mass, when a chemical reaction occurs, the mass of products should be equal to the mass of reactants. That is the amount of atoms in each element does not change in the chemical reaction. As a result, the chemical equation that shows the chemical reaction needs to be balanced.
A balanced chemical equation occurs when the number of the atoms involved in the reactants side is equal to the number of atoms in the products side.
To balance a chemical equation, we make use of coefficients. A coefficient is a number that we place in front of a chemical formula.
For a reaction to be balanced on both the sides, the number of each element and the charge on both the sides of the equation should be equal. Now, we need to substitute the x and y values in the equation to get to the answer. After substituting the values we need to compare molecules on both the sides and check whether they are the same or not. If the number is the same then the value of x and y is correct.
Now, substituting values $x = 3$ and $y = 2$
$2N{H_3} + 3C{l_2}(excess) \to 2NC{l_3} + 3{H_2}$
Here, we can see that on both sides of the reaction the number of each molecule is the same. Therefore, these values of x and y are correct. Also, a reaction can only have unique values of its coefficients and they cannot be changed. So, as we have found our coefficients there is no need to check other options.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Note: A balanced chemical equation occurs when the number of the atoms involved in the reactants side is equal to the number of atoms in the products side and to balance a chemical equation, we make use of coefficients. When ammonia reacts with chlorine it produces Nitrogen trichloride and hydrogen vapour. This reaction is also called Redox Reaction.