Question

Does the equation below follow the Law of Conservation of Matter?

2As + 6NaOH --> 2Na3AsO3 + NH2

Responses

Yes, because the mass of the reactants is equal to the mass of the products.
Yes, because the mass of the reactants is equal to the mass of the products.

Yes, because the reactants contain the same number of arsenic (As) atoms as the products.
Yes, because the reactants contain the same number of arsenic (As) atoms as the products.

No, because the reactants contain more hydrogen (H) atoms than the products.
No, because the reactants contain more hydrogen (H) atoms than the products.

No, because the reactants contain more oxygen (O) atoms than the products.

Answer 1

To determine if the equation follows the Law of Conservation of Matter, we need to ensure that the number of each type of atom on the reactants side equals the number of those atoms on the products side. Here’s the breakdown of the equation:

**Reactants:**
- \(2 \text{As}\) (2 atoms of Arsenic)
- \(6 \text{NaOH}\)
- which gives us:
- 6 Sodium (Na)
- 6 Oxygen (O)
- 6 Hydrogen (H)

Total atoms in reactants:
- 2 Arsenic (As)
- 6 Sodium (Na)
- 6 Oxygen (O)
- 6 Hydrogen (H)

**Products:**
- \(2 \text{Na}_3\text{AsO}_3\)
- which gives:
- \(2 \times 3 = 6\) Sodium (Na)
- \(2 \times 1 = 2\) Arsenic (As)
- \(2 \times 3 = 6\) Oxygen (O)

- \( \text{NH}_2\)
- which gives:
- 1 Nitrogen (N)
- 2 Hydrogen (H)

Total atoms in products:
- 2 Arsenic (As)
- 6 Sodium (Na)
- 6 Oxygen (O)
- \(2 + 0 = 2\) Hydrogen (H)
- 1 Nitrogen (N)

Now, let's compare the number of each atom in both reactants and products:
- Arsenic: 2 (reactants) = 2 (products)
- Sodium: 6 (reactants) = 6 (products)
- Oxygen: 6 (reactants) = 6 (products)
- Hydrogen: 6 (reactants) != 2 (products)
- Nitrogen: 0 (reactants) = 1 (products)

From this assessment:
- The number of hydrogen (H) atoms is not balanced (6 in reactants vs. 2 in products).
- Also, nitrogen (N) does not appear in the reactants, but it does in the products.

Thus, the correct response is:
**No, because the reactants contain more hydrogen (H) atoms than the products.**