Question

Write and balance the following equation: Sodium reacts with lead (IV) oxide

Answer 1

Ok so I will try and help you find the products yourself this time. So from the names, can you tell what their chemical forms are?

Answer 2

Na \[rightarrow\] PbO

Answer 3

should it be Pb2O4

Answer 4

Nice try on the equation editor xD Keep working on it. Ok so, are you familiar yet with the charges of cations and anions? I can help to show how you get from PbO to Pb2O4

Answer 5

Na + Pb2O4 ?

Answer 6

no i never learned cations or anions

Answer 7

Hmm alright. Well anions are ions that have negative charges and cations have positive charges. This should explain more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion#Anions_and_cations

So usually, whatever is in front, is the cation. So here, in lead (IV) oxide, lead is a cation and oxygen is the anion. This will tell you that Pb will be positive and O negative. Get me so far?

But oxides have a charge of -2, and lead +2. However, in this one, it is lead (IV). This means that lead will have a 4 magnitude(you will learn in detail later). So lead is then actually +4 here.

If you are familiar with forming compounds from ions, you should know that we have to balance the charges. So you will need 2 O-2 to have -4 in total, which will then balance one Pb+4. Does that make sense? This might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPoxAdcYIHU

Otherwise, you can always Google for now if you are not required to know how to do this :)

So in the end, you did a mistake. Can you tell me what the form actually is now?

Answer 8

Oh this might also help! http://profmokeur.ca/chemistry/ionstable.htm Like I said, you will remember them through repetition in practice :)

Answer 9

Thank you ! i looked at the youtube video and the websites if lead is +4 and oxygen is -2 then why wouldn't it be Pb2O4 ? I'm still clueless to be honest

Answer 10

Well the charges are balanced, but did you notice that you can simplify it? I think I know you did. You crossed the charges, no? Well then you just simplify it. Hint: Divide both with a common factor

Answer 11

So does that mean it would be PbO2 ?

Answer 12

Yeppers. Now, using the same method for finding out compounds, can you get the product? Note that you can find the charge for Na using the periodic table.

Answer 13

Well the charge for N is +1 . this might be wrong but would the product be PbNa + NaO2

Answer 14

The charge for Na*

Answer 15

Not quite. In this reaction, Na will only displace Pb in PbO2. The lead will be kicked out and deposit. Can you try again with that clue?

Answer 16

Pb +NaO2

Answer 17

?

Answer 18

Close, but if you check again, your NaO2 does not have a net charge of 0. Recall that Na is +1 and O is -2

Answer 19

Pb + Na2O?

Answer 20

Yes! Can you put together the equation now and balance it?

Answer 21

4Na+ PbO2-- Pb +2Na2O

Answer 22

Yep looks right :) Good job again!

Answer 23

Thank you so much ! ! :)

Answer 24

You're very welcome :)