Question

Suppose 10 atoms of carbon (C) react with 20 atoms of oxygen (O) to form 10 molecules

Answer 1

In the reaction between carbon and oxygen, carbon typically reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO₂). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

\[
C + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2
\]

For every 1 atom of carbon, 1 molecule of oxygen (which consists of 2 atoms of oxygen) is needed to produce 1 molecule of carbon dioxide.

If we take 10 atoms of carbon, we can see how many molecules of carbon dioxide can be formed:

1. **Carbon requirement**: Each molecule of CO₂ requires 1 atom of carbon. Therefore, 10 atoms of carbon can theoretically produce 10 molecules of CO₂.

2. **Oxygen requirement**: Each molecule of CO₂ requires 2 atoms of oxygen. Thus, to completely react with 10 atoms of carbon, we would need:
\[
10 \text{ atoms of C} \times 2 \text{ atoms of O/CO}_2 = 20 \text{ atoms of O}
\]

Since you have exactly 20 atoms of oxygen available, all 10 atoms of carbon can react with those 20 atoms of oxygen to produce 10 molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

In conclusion, 10 atoms of carbon would react with 20 atoms of oxygen to form 10 molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂).