Answer
The balanced equation for this reaction is:
$NH_4NO_3 \lt -- \gt N_2O + 2H_2O$
Work Step by Step
Ammonium nitrate: $NH_4NO_3$
Dinitrogen monoxide: $N_2O$
Water : $H_2O$
Therefore, this is the unbalanced reaction:
$NH_4NO_3 \lt -- \gt N_2O + H_2O$
Let's start by balancing the compounds that only appear in 1 compound on each side.
Nitrogen: Products = 2, Reactants = 2: Balanced.
Hydrogen: Products = 2, Reactants = 4: Unbalanced.
To correct this, we have to put 2 as the coefficient of water:
$NH_4NO_3 \lt -- \gt N_2O + 2H_2O$
Oxygen: Products: 2*1 + 1 = 3, Reactants = 3:
This is balanced.
