Question

The balanced chemical equation shows a reaction between iron (Fe) and oxygen (O2) .

4Fe + 3O2 > 2Fe2O3

How does the equation show the law of conservation of mass?

answers:

The sum of the coefficients and subscripts is the same on both sides.

Each element has the same subscript or coefficient on each side

The number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides

The number of reactants is equal to the number of products

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

**The number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.**

This statement reflects the law of conservation of mass, which states that in a chemical reaction, matter is neither created nor destroyed. In the balanced equation, the number of atoms for each element (iron and oxygen) is equal on both sides of the equation, indicating that mass is conserved during the reaction.

To elaborate, in the reaction:
- On the reactant side, there are 4 iron (Fe) atoms and 6 oxygen (O) atoms (from 3O2).
- On the product side, there are 4 iron (Fe) atoms and 6 oxygen (O) atoms (from 2Fe2O3).

Thus, the total number of each type of atom is the same on both sides.