Once the following equation is balanced with the smallest set of whole number coefficients, what is the sum of the coefficients? (Don't forget to include coefficients of one.) ___ Al + ___ H2SO4 → ___ Al2 (SO4) 3 + ___ H2

9

Explanation:

To balance the equation, we need to supply the number of missing coefficients.

There are 2 moles of aluminium on the right hand side, so automatically we need to multiply the number of moles of aluminium by 2 on the left hand side.

There are 3 sulphate ions on the right hand side so we need to multiply the number on the left by 3.

And lastly since we have 6 hydrogen molecules on the left hand side now, we need to multiply the hydrogen on the right hand side by 3 to give 6

The set of coefficients = 2 3 1 3

Adding all thus yields 9