No problem! I can help you understand the process of balancing chemical equations. Balancing chemical equations is the process of adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Let's examine the unbalanced chemical equation you provided:
CO(little2) + C --> CO
On the left side of the arrow, we have 1 carbon (C) atom and 2 oxygen (O) atoms. On the right side, we have 1 carbon (C) atom and 1 oxygen (O) atom. This means the equation is unbalanced because the number of atoms for each element is not the same on both sides.
Now, let's analyze the answer choices:
1. 2CO(little2) + C --> CO
This choice has the correct number of carbon (C) atoms on both sides, but it still doesn't balance the oxygen (O) atoms. We need to have 2 oxygen (O) atoms on the right side as well.
2. CO(little2) + C --> 2CO
This is the correct balanced form of the equation. It has 1 carbon (C) atom and 2 oxygen (O) atoms on both sides. This choice satisfies the law of conservation of mass.
3. CO(little2) + C(little2) --> CO
This choice introduces an extra carbon (C) atom on the right side, which makes it unbalanced.
4. CO(little2) + C --> C(little2)O
This choice adds an extra oxygen (O) atom on the right side, which makes it unbalanced.
Therefore, the correct balanced form of the equation is:
CO(little2) + C --> 2CO