Question

Write equations describing the reactions of Ga with each of the following: \(\mathrm{F}_{2}, \mathrm{O}_{2}, \mathrm{~S}\), and \(\mathrm{HCl}\).

Short answer

The reactions of gallium (Ga) with the given elements or compounds are as follows: 1. Reaction with fluorine gas (F2): \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{F}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaF}_{3}(s)\] 2. Reaction with oxygen gas (O2): \[4 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}(s)\] 3. Reaction with sulfur (S): \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{S}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{S}_{3}(s)\] 4. Reaction with hydrogen chloride (HCl): \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 6 \mathrm{HCl}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaCl}_{3}(s) + 3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\]

Step-by-step solution

1. Reaction of Ga with F2 (Fluorine gas)

Gallium has a +3 valency, while fluorine has a -1 valency. To obtain a neutral compound, we need three fluorine atoms for one gallium atom. The product of the reaction will be the compound gallium trifluoride (GaF3). Now we can write the balanced equation for the reaction: \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{F}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaF}_{3}(s)\]

2. Reaction of Ga with O2 (Oxygen gas)

Oxygen has a -2 valency. In order to obtain a neutral compound, we need two oxygen atoms for one gallium atom. The product of the reaction will be the compound gallium(III) oxide (Ga2O3). The balanced equation for the reaction is: \[4 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}(s)\]

3. Reaction of Ga with S (Sulfur)

Sulfur has a -2 valency. Similar to the reaction with O2, we need two sulfur atoms for one gallium atom to form a neutral compound. The product of the reaction will be the compound gallium(III) sulfide (Ga2S3). The balanced equation for the reaction is: \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 3 \mathrm{S}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ga}_{2}\mathrm{S}_{3}(s)\]

4. Reaction of Ga with HCl (Hydrogen chloride)

Hydrogen chloride has a +1 valency for hydrogen and a -1 valency for chlorine. Gallium reacts with HCl to form a neutral compound: gallium(III) chloride (GaCl3) and hydrogen gas (H2). The balanced equation for the reaction is: \[2 \mathrm{Ga}(s) + 6 \mathrm{HCl}(g) \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaCl}_{3}(s) + 3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\] All the reactions of Ga with the given elements or compounds have been described along with their balanced equations.