Q3
1 markMCQSection A

In order to balance the following chemical equation, the values of the coefficients x and y respectively are :

xPb(NO3)2Heat2PbO+yNO2+O2x\text{Pb(NO}_3)_2 \xrightarrow{\text{Heat}} 2\text{PbO} + y\text{NO}_2 + \text{O}_2

Chemical Reactions and Equations
Balancing Chemical Equations

Options

(a)2, 4
(b)2, 2
(c)2, 3
(d)4, 2
Official Answer

The correct option is (a). The values of the coefficients xx and yy are 2 and 4 respectively.

balanced equationcoefficientslead nitratenitrogen dioxidethermal decomposition

Marking Scheme

  • 11 Mark for correctly balancing the equation and identifying x=2x = 2 and y=4y = 4 (Option a).

Hint

Start by balancing the lead (Pb) atoms on both sides, which will immediately give you the value of xx. Then use xx to find the total number of nitrogen atoms to determine yy.

Quick Oral Answer

The balanced equation is 2Pb(NO3)2Heat2PbO+4NO2+O22\text{Pb(NO}_3)_2 \xrightarrow{\text{Heat}} 2\text{PbO} + 4\text{NO}_2 + \text{O}_2. Therefore, the coefficients xx and yy are 2 and 4 respectively.

Analysis & Explanation

To balance the given chemical equation:

xPb(NO3)2Heat2PbO+yNO2+O2x\text{Pb(NO}_3)_2 \xrightarrow{\text{Heat}} 2\text{PbO} + y\text{NO}_2 + \text{O}_2


Let us count the atoms of each element on both sides:

  1. Lead (Pb):
  • On the RHS, we have 22 atoms of Pb\text{Pb} (in 2PbO2\text{PbO}).
  • To balance Pb\text{Pb} on the LHS, we must have x=2x = 2.

  1. Nitrogen (N):
  • With x=2x = 2, the LHS has 2×2=42 \times 2 = 4 atoms of N\text{N} (from 2Pb(NO3)22\text{Pb(NO}_3)_2).
  • To balance N\text{N} on the RHS, we must have y=4y = 4 atoms of N\text{N} (in yNO2y\text{NO}_2). Thus, y=4y = 4.

  1. Oxygen (O):
  • Let's verify if oxygen is balanced with x=2x = 2 and y=4y = 4:
  • LHS: 2×(3×2)=122 \times (3 \times 2) = 12 oxygen atoms.
  • RHS: 22 (from 2PbO2\text{PbO}) + 4×24 \times 2 (from 4NO24\text{NO}_2) + 22 (from O2\text{O}_2) = 2+8+2=122 + 8 + 2 = 12 oxygen atoms.

Both sides are perfectly balanced. Therefore, x=2x = 2 and y=4y = 4.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Forgetting that the subscript 2 outside the parentheses in Pb(NO3)2\text{Pb(NO}_3)_2 multiplies everything inside, leading to incorrect counts of nitrogen and oxygen atoms.

Interesting Facts

This reaction represents the thermal decomposition of lead nitrate, which produces brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2\text{NO}_2) as described in Activity 1.6.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2023?

This question carries 1 mark in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Chemical Reactions and Equations" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Balancing Chemical Equations" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 paper?

This is a MCQ question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 paper.