Question

Pure silicon, which is needed in the manufacturing of electronic components, may be prepared by heating silicon dioxide (sand) with carbon at high temperatures, releasing carbon monoxide gas. Write the unbalanced chemical equation for this process.

Short answer

The balanced chemical equation for the process of heating silicon dioxide (sand) with carbon at high temperatures to produce pure silicon and carbon monoxide gas is: \(SiO_{2}(s) + 2C(s) \rightarrow Si(s) + 2CO(g)\).

Step-by-step solution

Identify the reactants and products in the reaction.

In this process, the reactants are silicon dioxide (sand) and carbon. The products are pure silicon and carbon monoxide gas.

Write the unbalanced chemical equation.

Write down the chemical formulas for each reactant and product, placing an arrow between the reactants and products to represent the reaction. The unbalanced equation is: SiO2(s) + C(s) → Si(s) + CO(g)

Balance the chemical equation.

To balance the equation, we must ensure that the same number of atoms of each element is present on both sides of the equation. First, let's balance the number of silicon atoms by observing that there is 1 Si atom on each side of the equation. We don't need to adjust coefficients for Si. Next, let's balance the number of oxygen atoms. There are 2 oxygen atoms on the left side and 1 on the right side. Now, we'll add a coefficient of 2 in front of the carbon monoxide on the product side: SiO2(s) + C(s) → Si(s) + 2CO(g) Now, we need to balance the number of carbon atoms as there is 1 on the left side and 2 on the product side. To do this, we will add a coefficient of 2 in front of the carbon on the reactant side: SiO2(s) + 2C(s) → Si(s) + 2CO(g)

Check the balanced equation.

Finally, let's verify that the chemical equation is balanced. We should have the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation: Reactants: 1 Si atom, 1 O2 molecule (2 O atoms), 2 C atoms Products: 1 Si atom, 2 CO molecules (2 C atoms and 2 O atoms) The equation is now balanced since the number of each type of atom is equal on both sides. The final balanced chemical equation is: SiO2(s) + 2C(s) → Si(s) + 2CO(g)