Question

In the following balanced equation, determine the values of x, y, and z.
${\text{xAl}} + {\text{y}}{{\text{O}}_2} \to {\text{zA}}{{\text{l}}_2}{{\text{O}}_3}$

Answer 1

To solve this question, knowledge on the stoichiometry of the reactions between different compounds needs to be known. The number of atoms of each element will be equal to both sides of the equation.

Complete step by step answer:
The stoichiometry of a reaction can be defined as the number of molecules of a reactant or a product involved in a reaction. The stoichiometry was founded on the basis of the law of conservation of mass, where the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products.
In aluminium oxide, the product that is formed, the number of atoms of aluminium is two while the number of atoms of oxygen is three. In the reactant side the no. of atoms of aluminium is one while one molecule (containing two atoms) of oxygen is there. So to balance this equation, three molecules of oxygen is required on the reactant side while two molecules of aluminium oxide on the product side. This results in four atoms of aluminium on the reactant side. Hence the overall balanced reaction is:
$4{\text{Al}} + 3{{\text{O}}_2} \to 2{\text{A}}{{\text{l}}_2}{{\text{O}}_3}$
So the values of x, y, and z are 4, 3, and 2 respectively.

Note:
The stoichiometry of a reaction rests upon very basic principles, law of conversion of mass, law of definite proportions, the law of multiple proportions, and the law of reciprocal proportions. These laws state that chemical reactants combine in a definite ratio of chemicals and no matter is created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.