Question

Two molecules of one reactant combine with 4 molecules of another to produce 5 molecules of a product.

Which equation is the correct representation of the reaction?

Responses

2A+4B→5C

2 uppercase A plus 4 uppercase B rightwards arrow 5 uppercase C

2A+5B→4C

2 uppercase A plus 5 uppercase B rightwards arrow 4 uppercase C

A2+B4→C5

uppercase A subscript 2 end subscript plus uppercase B subscript 4 end subscript rightwards arrow uppercase C subscript 5 end subscript

A2+B4→C4

uppercase A subscript 2 end subscript plus uppercase B subscript 4 end subscript rightwards arrow uppercase C subscript 4 end subscript

Answer 1

Correct answer: 2A + 4B → 5C

Explanation: The numbers 2, 4, and 5 are coefficients (how many molecules), not subscripts (which would change the chemical identity), so 2A+4B→5C correctly represents "two molecules of A + four molecules of B → five molecules of C."