Problem: A major challenge in implementing the “hydrogen economy” is finding a safe, lightweight, and compact way of storing hydrogen for use as a fuel. The hydrides of light metals are attractive for hydrogen storage because they can store a high weight percentage of hydrogen in a small volume. For example NaAlH4, can release 5.6% of its mass as H2 upon decomposing to NaH(s), Al(s), and H2(g). NaAlH4 possesses both covalent bonds, which hold polyatomic anions together, and ionic bonds.Write a balanced equation for the decomposition of NaAlH4.
FREE Expert Solution
We are asked to balance the decomposition reaction of NaAlH4.
In order to balance the chemical reaction, we will follow these steps:
STEP 1: Balance the non-oxygen and non-hydrogen elements first
STEP 2: Balance Hydrogen
STEP 3: Balance Oxygen
STEP 4:Make sure that all the coefficients are whole numbers
Problem Details
A major challenge in implementing the “hydrogen economy” is finding a safe, lightweight, and compact way of storing hydrogen for use as a fuel. The hydrides of light metals are attractive for hydrogen storage because they can store a high weight percentage of hydrogen in a small volume. For example NaAlH4, can release 5.6% of its mass as H2 upon decomposing to NaH(s), Al(s), and H2(g). NaAlH4 possesses both covalent bonds, which hold polyatomic anions together, and ionic bonds.
Write a balanced equation for the decomposition of NaAlH4.
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What scientific concept do you need to know in order to solve this problem?
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