Balance the following reaction:

Cac, (s) + H2O (1) - -> CH2 (g) + Ca (OH) 2 (aq)

CaC₂ (s) + 2H₂O (l) - -> C₂H₂ (g) + Ca (OH) ₂ (aq)

Explanation:

We are given;

The unbalanced equation;

CaC₂ (s) + 2H₂O (l) - -> C₂H₂ (g) + Ca (OH) ₂ (aq)

We are required to balance the equation;

We need to know that balancing of chemical equations involves putting the appropriate coefficients on reactants and products to ensure equal number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Balancing of chemical equations is a try and error method of making sure that the law of conversation of mass in chemical equations is obeyed. In our case, the appropriate coefficients will be, 1, 2, 1, 1

Therefore;

The balanced equation will be;

CaC₂ (s) + 2H₂O (l) - -> C₂H₂ (g) + Ca (OH) ₂ (aq)