[kidmo87]

Hello everyone. I am stuck on trying to balance chemical equations. I have the answer, but I just don't know how to plug in numbers, because when I look at it, at already looks balanced. The questions is: Write balanced net ionic equation for the precipitation reaction of CaCl2 and Cs3PO4
AB+CD AD+CD
CaCl2 + Cs3PO4  CaPO4 + Cs3Cl2.
and on the homework the answer says:
3CaCl2 + 2Cs3PO4  6CsCl + Ca3(PO4)2

Honestly, Im horrible at chemistry, but when I look, I don't see how my equation isn't balanced. I would really appreciate some help, thanks.

[Borek]

Write balanced net ionic equation for the precipitation reaction of CaCl2 and CsPO4

Is it really asking about CsPO₄, or is it asking about cesium phosphate? What is the formula of the cesium phosphate?

The answer you listed is not a net ionic equation.

[kidmo87]

Oh im sorry, its actually CaCl2 and Cs3PO4. And no, it asks like how I wrote it.

[Arkcon]

What is the difference between your answer, and the correct one?  Can you see what you did wrong?  Do the products match?  And why not?

[kidmo87]

Honestly, other than them being switched around, but I though it was AB+CD AD+CB.
Like I don't understand why mine is unbalanced for me to start inserting numbers to make them balanced.

[hockey101]

I can see what the problem is....if you look at Cs on the Periodic table its a +1 (i forgot what their called valance electrons maybe?) and Cl is a -1.  So when you do the criss-cross rule, they cancel out since its 1 to 1.  So it should read CsCl.  You do that for all the elements.  For PO₄, I believe you have to look in your chem book because its a polyatomic ion.  According to table 9.3 in my book, PO₄ reads at a charge of 3-.  So for your Ca and PO₄ Ca is a 2+ charge and PO₄ is a 3-.  When you do the criss-cross rule, it becomes Ca₃(PO₄)₂.  Then after all that you should be able to start balancing....hope this helps!!

[JGK]

forgive me for being a bit puzzled here but is this seriously an "undergraduate level" problem. This is the kind of stuff I was expected to do at age 14 in high school. 

[Borek]

forgive me for being a bit puzzled here but is this seriously an "undergraduate level" problem. This is the kind of stuff I was expected to do at age 14 in high school. 

Good point. Moved.