Question

Examine the equation below.

__NaCl + __CaF2 → __NaF +__CaCl2


To adhere to the law of conservation of mass, which set of coefficients must this equation have, in sequence from left to right?

(1 point)
Responses

2, 1, 3, 1
2, 1, 3, 1

2, 2, 2, 2
2, 2, 2, 2

2, 1, 2, 1
2, 1, 2, 1

1, 3, 1, 3
1, 3, 1, 3

Answer 1

To balance the chemical equation for the reaction of sodium chloride (NaCl) with calcium fluoride (CaF2) to produce sodium fluoride (NaF) and calcium chloride (CaCl2), we need to ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.

Let's analyze the unbalanced equation:

NaCl + CaF2 → NaF + CaCl2

Now we'll count the atoms of each element:

**Reactants:**
- Na: 1 (from NaCl)
- Cl: 1 (from NaCl)
- Ca: 1 (from CaF2)
- F: 2 (from CaF2)

**Products:**
- Na: 1 (from NaF)
- Cl: 2 (from CaCl2)
- Ca: 1 (from CaCl2)
- F: 1 (from NaF)

Next, we need to balance the number of each type of atom.

1. **Sodium (Na)**:
- 1 on the reactants side and 1 on the products side, balanced.

2. **Chlorine (Cl)**:
- 1 on the reactants side and 2 on the products side, not balanced.
- To balance chlorine, we need 2 NaCl:
- 2 NaCl + CaF2 → 2 NaF + CaCl2

3. **Calcium (Ca)**:
- 1 on both sides, balanced.

4. **Fluorine (F)**:
- 2 on the reactants side (from CaF2) and now 2 on the product side (from 2 NaF, as we formed two NaF molecules), balanced.

After adjusting the coefficients, the balanced equation becomes:

**2 NaCl + 1 CaF2 → 2 NaF + 1 CaCl2**

Thus, the coefficients in order from left to right are **2, 1, 2, 1**.

However, looking at your options, none of them propose 2, 1, 2, 1 as a choice; rather 2, 1, 3, 1 is there which does not seem to correctly represent balanced coefficients as well as other options. Please recheck the options given as there may be an error in the options you provided. The coefficients you have after balancing should be (2, 1, 2, 1).