Question

Balance the following equations and determine which type of reaction is occurring. 1. (NH4)2CO3 (6)-NH3+H2O+CO2 ()

Answer 1

A decomposition reaction is defined as the reaction in which two or more substances are produced by the decomposition of a reactant.

Example: CaCO₃(s) $\rightarrow$ CaO(s) + CO₂(g)

The unbalanced chemical equation is as follows:

(NH₄)₂CO₃(s) $\rightarrow$ NH₃(g) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)

Balance the nitrogen atoms from both the sides as follows:

(NH₄)₂CO₃(s) $\rightarrow$ 2NH₃(g) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)

Reactant side	Product side
N=2	N=2
H =8	H=8
C =1	C=1
O =3	O=3

Thus, the reaction is balanced.

Since three products are formed from the one reactant (NH₄)₂CO₃(s), the type of reaction is decomposition reaction.