What is the sum of the coefficients of the balanced equation for the following reaction: FeCl2(aq) K2Cr2O7(aq) HCl(aq) ---> CrCl3(aq) FeCl3(aq) KCl(aq) H2O(l)

The unbalanced chemical equation is

K

2

Cr

2

O

7

+HCl→KCl+CrCl

3

+H

2

O+Cl

2

Balance all atoms except H and O.

K

2

Cr

2

O

7

+10HCl→2KCl+2CrCl

3

+H

2

O+Cl

2

Assign oxidation numbers.

K

2

+6

Cr

2

O

7

+10H

−1

Cl

→2KCl+2

+3

Cr

Cl

3

+H

2

O+

0

Cl

2

The oxidation number of Cr decreases from +6 to +3. Total decrease in the oxidation number of two Cr atoms is 6. The oxidation number of Cl increases from -1 to 0. Total increase in the oxidation number of 2 Cl atoms is 2.

Balance increase in oxidation number with decrease in oxidation number by using appropriate coefficients.

K

2

Cr

2

O

7

+14HCl→2KCl+2CrCl

3

+H

2

O+3Cl

2

Balance O atoms by adding six water molecules on products side.

K

2

Cr

2

O

7

+14HCl→2KCl+2CrCl

3

+7H

2

O+3Cl

2

H atoms are balanced.

K

2

Cr

2

O

7

+14HCl→2KCl+2CrCl

3

+7H

2

O+3Cl

2

This is balanced chemical equation.

The sum of the coefficients of the products is 2+2+7+3=14