How do you balance NO_2 + H_2O → HNO_3 + NONO2+H2OHNO3+NO?

1 Answer
Nov 25, 2017

3NO_2+H_2O -> 2HNO_3+NO3NO2+H2O2HNO3+NO

Explanation:

Given:

NO_2 + H_2O -> HNO_3 + NONO2+H2OHNO3+NO

We are looking for something like:

aNO_2 + bH_2O -> cHNO_3 + d NOaNO2+bH2OcHNO3+dNO

for some integers a, b, c, da,b,c,d.

Equating the amounts of NN, OO and HH, we find:

{ (a = c + d), (2a+b = 3c+d), (2b = c) :}

Subtracting the first equation from the second to eliminate d, we find:

a+b = 2c

Then subtracting twice the third equation, we find:

a-3b = 0

So let's put b=1, a=3, c=2 and d=1 to find:

3NO_2+H_2O -> 2HNO_3+NO