Question

Arsenic reacts with oxygen to form oxides that react with water in a manner analogous to that of the phosphorus oxides. Write balanced chemical equations describing the reaction of arsenic with oxygen and the reaction of the resulting oxide with water.

Short answer

The balanced chemical equations for the reactions are: 1. Arsenic with oxygen: a) \( 4As + 3O_2 \rightarrow 2As_2O_3 \) (formation of arsenic(III) oxide) b) \( 4As + 5O_2 \rightarrow 2As_2O_5 \) (formation of arsenic(V) oxide) 2. Arsenic oxides with water: a) \( As_2O_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 2H_3AsO_3 \) (reaction of arsenic(III) oxide with water) b) \( As_2O_5 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 2H_3AsO_4 \) (reaction of arsenic(V) oxide with water)

Step-by-step solution

Identify the arsenic oxide

When arsenic reacts with oxygen, arsenic oxide is formed. There are two common types of arsenic oxide: arsenic(III) oxide (As2O3) and arsenic(V) oxide (As2O5).

Write a balanced equation for the reaction of arsenic with oxygen

Let's write balanced chemical equations for the formation of both arsenic(III) oxide and arsenic(V) oxide. For arsenic(III) oxide: \( 4As + 3O_2 \rightarrow 2As_2O_3 \) For arsenic(V) oxide: \( 4As + 5O_2 \rightarrow 2As_2O_5 \)

Identify the products formed when arsenic oxides react with water

Similar to phosphorus oxides, arsenic oxides can react with water to form oxyacids. When arsenic(III) oxide (As2O3) reacts with water, it forms arsenous acid (H3AsO3). When arsenic(V) oxide (As2O5) reacts with water, it forms arsenic acid (H3AsO4).

Write balanced equations for the reaction of arsenic oxides with water

Now let's write balanced chemical equations for the reactions of arsenic(III) oxide and arsenic(V) oxide with water. For arsenic(III) oxide: \[ As_2O_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 2H_3AsO_3 \] For arsenic(V) oxide: \[ As_2O_5 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 2H_3AsO_4 \] Here are the balanced chemical equations for the reactions: 1. Arsenic with oxygen: a) \( 4As + 3O_2 \rightarrow 2As_2O_3 \) (formation of arsenic(III) oxide) b) \( 4As + 5O_2 \rightarrow 2As_2O_5 \) (formation of arsenic(V) oxide) 2. Arsenic oxides with water: a) \( As_2O_3 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 2H_3AsO_3 \) (reaction of arsenic(III) oxide with water) b) \( As_2O_5 + 3H_2O \rightarrow 2H_3AsO_4 \) (reaction of arsenic(V) oxide with water)