Question

If you balance the equation below, what should be the coefficient for rubidium(Rb)?

Rb(s) + Cl2(g) > RbCl(s)


A. 4

B. 2

C. 1

D. 3

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) 2.

Note that the correctly balanced reaction should also have a factor 2 in front of RbCl(s). In fact, the balanced reaction is
$2 Rb(s) + Cl_2 (g) \rightarrow 2 RbCl(s)$
This way, we have:
- 2 atoms of Rb on the left side, and 2 atoms of Rb on the right side
- 2 atoms of Cl on the left side, and 2 atoms of Cl on the right side
so, the reaction is balanced.