This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
PbII + 2 e- → Pb0 (reduction)
2 Cl-I - 2 e- → 2 Cl0 (oxidation)
PbCl2 is both an oxidizing agent and reducing agent.
Word equation
lead(II) chloride → lead + chlorine
Input interpretation
PbCl2 → Pb + Cl2
lead(II) chloride lead chlorine
Balanced equation
Balance the chemical equation algebraically:
PbCl2 → Pb + Cl2
Add stoichiometric coefficients, c, to the reactants and products:
c1PbCl2 → c2Pb + c3Cl2
Set the number of atoms in the reactants equal to the number of atoms in the products for Cl and Pb:
Cl: 2c1 = 2c3
Pb: c1 = c2
Since the coefficients are relative quantities and underdetermined, choose a coefficient to set arbitrarily. To keep the coefficients small, the arbitrary value is ordinarily one. For instance, set c1 = 1 and solve the system of equations for the remaining coefficients:
c1 = 1
c2=1
c3 = 1
Substitute the coefficients into the chemical reaction to obtain the balanced
equation:
Answer:
PbCl2 → Pb + Cl2
