Question

The incandescent white of a fireworks display is caused by the reaction of phosphorous with `O_2` to give `P_4O_10`. What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction?

Answer 1

`4P+5O_2rarrP_4O_10`

Explanation:

Note that phosphorous is `P`.
`therefore P+O_2rarrP_4O_10`

We have 1 P on the LHS, and 4 on the RHS.
We have 2 O on the LHS, and 10 on the RHS.

We cannot balance a chemical equation by adding, subtracting or dividing atoms, the only way to balance is by multiplication.

Let's multiply the LHS by `5` to balance the oxygen.

`P+5O_2rarrP_4O_10`

Now let's multiply the phosphorus on the LHS by `4`.

`4P+5O_2rarrP_4O_10`