How to balance Chemical Reaction

Question

Consider a chemical reaction:

a CH₃-CH=CH₂ + b NH₃ + c O₂ → d CH₂=CH-C≡N + e H₂O

1.       Balance the reaction by "inspection."

2.       Now, write a series of equations that represent the balancing of this equation and solve them by the following methods:

a.   By hand, show your work by typing out or scanning your hand written result into a file and submitting it to your TA as an attachment to your solution paper.

b.   Excel's "Solver" function.

3.       Now, take a bit of time to write in your own words how the Excel "Solver" function works.  A few sentences or a paragraph will do.  You do not have to understand the specific details about the "Solver" algorithm and so don't go to the web to read about how "Solver" works.  Rather, use what you know from class and what you know about how to set the problem up in Excel to explain how Excel is finding the solution.

Don't forget, look at our syllabus page to see how your homework will be scored and be sure to set-up your homework assignment so that it complies with the scoring rubric!