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 balanced equations for the reactions of gallium with the given substances are as follows: 1. Reaction with F₂ (fluorine gas): \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{F}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaF}_{3} \] 2. Reaction with O₂ (oxygen gas): \[ 4\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{Ga}_{2}\text{O}_{3} \] 3. Reaction with S (sulfur): \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{S} \rightarrow \text{Ga}_{2}\text{S}_{3} \] 4. Reaction with HCl (hydrogen chloride): \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 6\,\text{HCl} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaCl}_{3} + 3\,\text{H}_{2} \]

Step-by-step solution

Reaction 1: Ga with F₂

The balanced equation for the reaction of gallium with fluorine gas is: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{F}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaF}_{3} \] In this reaction, 2 moles of gallium react with 3 moles of fluorine gas to produce 2 moles of gallium trifluoride.

Reaction 2: Ga with O₂

The balanced equation for the reaction of gallium with oxygen gas is: \[ 4\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{Ga}_{2}\text{O}_{3} \] In this reaction, 4 moles of gallium react with 3 moles of oxygen gas to produce 2 moles of gallium trioxide.

Reaction 3: Ga with S

The balanced equation for the reaction of gallium with sulfur is: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{S} \rightarrow \text{Ga}_{2}\text{S}_{3} \] In this reaction, 2 moles of gallium react with 3 moles of sulfur to produce 1 mole of gallium sulfide.

Reaction 4: Ga with HCl

The balanced equation for the reaction of gallium with hydrogen chloride is: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 6\,\text{HCl} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaCl}_{3} + 3\,\text{H}_{2} \] In this reaction, 2 moles of gallium react with 6 moles of hydrogen chloride to produce 2 moles of gallium trichloride and 3 moles of hydrogen gas.

Key concepts

Gallium Reactions

Gallium is a fascinating metal with unique properties that make it interesting in the world of chemistry. It engages in various reactions with other elements such as fluorine, oxygen, sulfur, and hydrogen chloride. Understanding these reactions can help us learn more about the behavior of gallium in different environments. It's important because such insights can be used in industries ranging from electronics to material science.

When gallium reacts with these elements, it forms compounds with distinct physical and chemical properties. Whether it's the creation of gallium trifluoride with fluorine or gallium sulfide with sulfur, these reactions highlight the versatility of gallium. Let’s break down each reaction in detail to understand the transformations that occur.

Balanced Equations

In chemical reactions, achieving a balanced equation is crucial. It ensures that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the reaction. This balance reflects the conservation of mass principle. In the reactions involving gallium, we carefully identify the number of moles of each reactant and product.

• In the reaction with fluorine, the balanced equation is: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{F}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaF}_{3} \]
• For oxygen, the equation is: \[ 4\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{Ga}_{2}\text{O}_{3} \]
• The reaction with sulfur is: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{S} \rightarrow \text{Ga}_{2}\text{S}_{3} \]
• The equation with hydrogen chloride is: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 6\,\text{HCl} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaCl}_{3} + 3\,\text{H}_{2} \]

These equations serve as an excellent practice in balancing equations and show how different elements pair with gallium.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the study of the quantitative relationships among substances as they participate in chemical reactions. It involves calculations based on the balanced chemical equations. Using stoichiometry, we can determine how much of each reactant is needed to form a desired amount of product.

For example, in the reaction of gallium with fluorine:

• From the equation \( 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{F}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaF}_{3} \), we know that 2 moles of Ga will react with 3 moles of \( \text{F}_{2} \) to produce 2 moles of \( \text{GaF}_{3} \).
• In contrast, the reaction \( 4\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{Ga}_{2}\text{O}_{3} \) informs us that 4 moles of Ga react with 3 moles of \( \text{O}_{2} \) to produce 2 moles of \( \text{Ga}_{2}\text{O}_{3} \).

Stoichiometric principles are essential for precise preparation and use of chemical substances.

Reaction with Fluorine

Gallium reacts with fluorine gas to form gallium trifluoride, a white crystalline compound. The balanced equation for this reaction is: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{F}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaF}_{3} \]

This involves a direct combination reaction where fluorine's high electronegativity facilitates the formation of ionic bonds. Gallium trifluoride is significant for materials science because of its stability and utility in producing fluorine-containing compounds. This reaction is an excellent sample of metal-halogen interactions.

Reaction with Oxygen

In reactions with oxygen, gallium forms gallium trioxide, an important compound in electronics and catalysis. The equation is: \[ 4\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2\,\text{Ga}_{2}\text{O}_{3} \]

This demonstrates a typical metal-oxygen reaction where gallium oxidizes.

• Gallium trioxide is an amphoteric oxide, meaning it can react with both acids and bases.
• It plays a role in manufacturing semiconductor materials due to its electrical properties.

Understanding this reaction helps us explore how metals transition from elemental forms to useful compounds.

Reaction with Sulfur

Gallium reacts with sulfur to form gallium sulfide through a direct combination reaction: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 3\,\text{S} \rightarrow \text{Ga}_{2}\text{S}_{3} \]

This equation highlights that gallium combines in a straightforward manner with non-metal sulfur. Gallium sulfide has a layered structure, making it a potential candidate for electronic applications.

• This compound is notable for its semiconducting properties.
• It is being explored for use in optoelectronic devices.

Such reactions are essential to understand when working with transition metals and their ability to form complex compounds.

Reaction with Hydrogen Chloride

When gallium reacts with hydrogen chloride, it produces gallium trichloride and hydrogen gas: \[ 2\,\text{Ga} + 6\,\text{HCl} \rightarrow 2\,\text{GaCl}_{3} + 3\,\text{H}_{2} \]

This reaction illustrates a reduction-oxidation process where gallium is oxidized and chlorine is reduced. Hydrogen gas is released during this reaction.

• Gallium trichloride is useful in organic synthesis due to its role as a Lewis acid.
• This reaction also allows for the observation of hydrogen gas generation from interactions with metal and acids.

Knowing the mechanism behind such reactions is helpful in both laboratory and industrial applications.