Question

\[xN{{O}_{2}}+{{O}_{2}}\to 2N{{O}_{y}}\]
Find the value of x and y for the given reaction.
A) x = 2, y = 2
B) x =1 , y = 1
C) x = 1, y = 2
D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: This is an application of the law of conservation of mass. The mass should be conserved in a chemical reaction i.e. the mass in the right side of the equation should be equal to the left side of the equation.

Complete step by step solution:
So in the question a reaction is given and we have to complete the equation by finding the value of x and y in the reaction equation. If we give a look again in the question we will understand that we are supposed to `do the balancing of the chemical equation. The equation given is not the balanced one, i.e. the number of atoms in the product side and reactant side is not equal. It is very essential that we should always write a balanced chemical equation. Writing a balanced equation is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction, always the mass is conserved. The total mass in the reaction side is equal to the total mass in the product side.
So here, let’s move from the left side,
\[2N{{O}_{2}}+{{O}_{2}}\to 2N{{O}_{y}}\]\[xN{{O}_{2}}+{{O}_{2}}\to 2N{{O}_{y}}\]
In the left side there are two N atoms that means there should be two N atoms in the left side also. So the value of x will be equal to two.
\[2N{{O}_{2}}+{{O}_{2}}\to 2N{{O}_{y}}\]
Now let’s, solve for the value of y. As there are four Oxygen atoms in the left side there should be the same atoms in the right side also, so they should have the value of 2 to get a total number of four O atoms in the both sides.
So the final balanced chemical equation will be,
\[2N{{O}_{2}}+{{O}_{2}}\to 2N{{O}_{2}}\]
So x = 2 and y = 2

So the correct option for the answer is, option (A)

Note: It is not necessary that always a whole number will come, fraction also can be multiplied as the coefficient to get the balance chemical equation. Another important rule while balancing the equation is, the subscript should not be changed, because by changing the subscript the ratio of the atoms in a molecule will be changed.