Question

Balance the following chemical reaction-

$HN{{O}_{3}}+Ca{{(OH)}_{2}}\to Ca{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O$

Answer 1

In the reaction involved, it can be seen that salt is formed along with water. Also, the number of atoms on either side are not equal, so balance the equation properly.

Complete step by step answer:

In the given reaction, the solid calcium hydroxide (base) in reaction with nitric acid (acid) produces calcium nitrate salt and water. Thus, the neutralization reaction occurs between the two reactants. In the given reaction, the number of atoms on either side of the equation is not equal. That is, the number of nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen is not the same. The atoms of oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen on the left side are 5, 1 and 3 respectively, and on the right side are 7, 2 and 2 respectively. The balancing of the equation will take place as follows:

- the oxygen has the highest number of atoms, so multiplying the nitric acid by 2 on the left side. We get 8 atoms of oxygen on the LHS. Still having 7 atoms on the RHS.

- so, by multiplying the water molecule on the RHS by 2, we get an equal number of oxygen atoms on either side. Simultaneously, the other atoms (nitrogen and hydrogen) are also balanced. Thus, we get the balanced equation to be:

$2HN{{O}_{3}}+Ca{{(OH)}_{2}}\to Ca{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}+2{{H}_{2}}O$

It is also a double displacement reaction, as the ions (cation or anion) of both the reactants displace one another, to form two new products in the reaction.

Note: In the given reaction, it is seen that salt is formed as the base neutralises the acid, along with displacing the ions in both the acid and the base to give new products.