I once had a book that had two chemical equations that could be balanced with completely different coefficients and the set of coefficients represented different ratios. I know it sounds impossible but I saw it and am trying to find even one of the equations to share with a colleague. Anyone?

There isn't really one. You may be thinking of one that appears to be balanced, but when you examine the reaction you find that it is a redox reaction where the electrons themselves are not balanced, as shown here:

[pubs.acs.org]

Since the electrons are not overtly shown in the "balanced" chemical reaction, it appears that the equation is balanced but it isn't really. I may be able to get this journal article when I get home if you are truly interested. PM me if that's the case.

Diana

Good god - it's shocking to realize how much I've forgotten since college.

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It is what it is.

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Diana
There isn't really one. You may be thinking of one that appears to be balanced, but when you examine the reaction you find that it is a redox reaction where the electrons themselves are not balanced, as shown here:

[pubs.acs.org]

Since the electrons are not overtly shown in the "balanced" chemical reaction, it appears that the equation is balanced but it isn't really. I may be able to get this journal article when I get home if you are truly interested. PM me if that's the case.

Diana

Aren't you the doctor that popped up once a while back?

Yes - I expected that they were redox reactions but couldn't remember or find any examples. Thank you for finding one for me. My class has not yet discussed redox but we have balanced non-redox equations and thought they would enjoy seeing a reaction like this.

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DP

Aren't you the doctor that popped up once a while back?

Yeah. That's what that piece of paper says. Not medical though, so don't be asking "Doc, it hurts when I do this...."

The paper says "chemistry" too.

Diana



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2010 09:54AM by Diana.