Question #ca262
1 Answer
It's not possible.
Explanation:
Let's take a look at the skeleton equation:
There is no way we can get this to follow the law of conservation of matter, because cesium is the only unbalanced portion of the equation.
If we attempt to balance it, we could go on forever.
Let's try:
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Balance the cesium atoms by adding a coefficient of
3 onCsI on the reactant side.Li3PO4+3CsI→Li3I+Cs3PO4 -
Balance the iodine atoms by adding a coefficient of
3 onLi3I , making the equationLi3PO4+3CsI→3Li3I+Cs3PO4 -
Balance the lithium atoms by adding a coefficient of
3 onLi3PO4 , making the equation3Li3PO4+3CsI→3Li3I+Cs3PO4 -
Balance the phosphate ions by adding a coefficient of
3 onCs3PO4 , making the equation3Li3PO4+3CsI→3Li3I+3Cs3PO4 -
And we're back to cesium again!
So, no matter what we do, the equation can never be balanced. :(
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However, if the question had
The skeleton question would be:
Which would make the equation simple to balance:
