Hey guys, my chemistry professor wants me to balance this chemical equation, and I cannot for the life of me figure it out.

NH4NO3 -> NO + H2O

I tried googleing it, but the answers I found was that Ammonium Nitrate becomes N20 + H2O, so my chemistry professor might have messed up, but can you guys figure it out? What methods work best for you for balancing chemical equations?

it's screwed :/

Pretty sure it should be:

NH4NO3 + heat -> N2O + 2H2O

Was it only NH4NO3? Did he mention a catalyst which might stop the nitrogen monoxide(any other special names?) from forming nitrous oxide?

Simple equation, it's how i learnt atleast..

H2 + O2 = H2O
2H2 + O2 = 2H2O

Basically, if you get confused with any equation, and you know both sides, write out the elements for both sides(just symbol will do), then figure out what it should be. Im sure you already know but it should equal on both sides.

Ive seen people fail just because they forgot to put the 2H2 or 2H2O....

Just ask him again, or tell him it doesnt work.

edit: I tried balancing it but it doesnt work :)

Hmm....maybe this will work

4NH4NO3 + 2O2 -->8NO + 8H2O

Everything needs oxygen to burn right?......(even though NH4NO3 is an oxidizer....)

H2 + O2 = H2O





one oxygen atom unaccounted for.

unless im being retarded, that equation cannot be balanced in that form.

in general, when balancing equations i chose a single element that only appears in one product, and balance that. then chose a second element and balance that one too, working backwards and forwards until you come full circle.

I think you're right. you will always have twice the nitrogen as you have oxygen not used in water.
my belief: The chem teacher messed up. He wouldn't happen to be Mr. Stump, would he?

No he's not, I'll tell him today that the equation is fucked. Thanks for your help guys.

So, I talked to my chem prof today about the problem, and he said that he fucked up. It was supposed to be N2O and H2O. Thanks for all the help and suggestions that I got.