In order to balance the following equation:2P + X O2 → P2O5X should equalQuestion 1

To balance the given chemical equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

The equation is: 2P + X O2 → P2O5

1. First, let's look at the number of phosphorus (P) atoms. On the left side, we have 2 atoms of P. On the right side, we have 2 atoms of P in P2O5. So, phosphorus is already balanced.

2. Now, let's balance the oxygen (O) atoms. On the right side, we have 5 atoms of O in P2O5.

3. To balance the oxygen atoms on the left side, we need to find a value of X that makes the number of oxygen atoms equal to 5. Since each molecule of O2 contains 2 oxygen atoms, we divide 5 by 2 to find the value of X.

4. Therefore, X equals 5/2 or 2.5.

So, to balance the equation, X should equal 2.5.