Question

Silicon is produced for the chemical and electronics industries by the following reactions. Give the balanced equation for each reaction. a. \(\mathrm{SiO}_{2}(s)+\mathrm{C}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s)+\mathrm{CO}(g)\) b. Silicon tetrachloride is reacted with very pure magnesium, producing silicon and magnesium chloride. c. \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{SiF}_{6}(s)+\mathrm{Na}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s)+\mathrm{NaF}(s)\)

Short answer

a. \( \mathrm{SiO_{2}}(s) + \mathrm{C}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + \mathrm{CO}(g) \) b. \( \mathrm{SiCl_{4}}(l) + 2 \mathrm{Mg}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + 2\mathrm{MgCl_{2}}(s) \) c. \( \mathrm{Na_{2}SiF_{6}}(s) + 12\mathrm{Na}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + 6\mathrm{NaF}(s) \)

Step-by-step solution

Understand the given reaction

The given reaction for producing Silicon (a) is: \( \mathrm{SiO_{2}}(s) + \mathrm{C}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + \mathrm{CO}(g) \) Here, Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and Carbon (C) are the reactants and Silicon (Si) and Carbon monoxide (CO) are the products.

Balancing the reaction

As we observe, the given reaction is already balanced. Both sides have one Carbon atom, one Silicon atom, and two Oxygen atoms. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Step 2: Reaction b#

Write the unbalanced reaction

Silicon tetrachloride is reacted with very pure magnesium, producing silicon and magnesium chloride. We can write the unbalanced reaction as: \( \mathrm{SiCl_{4}}(l) + \mathrm{Mg}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + \mathrm{MgCl_{2}}(s) \)

Balancing the reaction

To balance this reaction, first balance the number of Chlorine atoms by multiplying the MgCl₂ with 2. \( \mathrm{SiCl_{4}}(l) + \mathrm{Mg}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + 2 \mathrm{MgCl_{2}}(s) \) Now, balance the Magnesium atoms by multiplying the Mg in the reactants with 2. \( \mathrm{SiCl_{4}}(l) + 2 \mathrm{Mg}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + 2\mathrm{MgCl_{2}}(s) \) Now, the reaction is balanced with 1 Silicon atom, 4 Chlorine atoms and 2 Magnesium atoms on both sides. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Step 3: Reaction c#

Understand the given reaction

The given reaction for producing Silicon (c) is: \( \mathrm{Na_{2}SiF_{6}}(s) + \mathrm{Na}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + \mathrm{NaF}(s) \)

Balancing the reaction

First, balance the Silicon atoms. Both sides have one Silicon atom. Now, balance the Fluorine atoms by multiplying NaF with 6: \( \mathrm{Na_{2}SiF_{6}}(s) + \mathrm{Na}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + 6\mathrm{NaF}(s) \) Finally, balance the Sodium atoms by multiplying Na on the reactant side by 12: \( \mathrm{Na_{2}SiF_{6}}(s) + 12\mathrm{Na}(s) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Si}(s) + 6\mathrm{NaF}(s) \) Now, the reaction is balanced with one Silicon atom, six Fluorine atoms, and twelve Sodium atoms on both sides.