How is a chemical equation used to represent a chemical reaction?

Question

Responses

The atoms on the left side of the arrow are different from the atoms on the right, but are arranged similarly.
The atoms on the left side of the arrow are different from the atoms on the right, but are arranged similarly.

The atoms on the left side of the arrow are the same as the atoms on the right, and are arranged the same.
The atoms on the left side of the arrow are the same as the atoms on the right, and are arranged the same.

The atoms on the left side of the arrow are the same as the atoms on the right, but are arranged differently.
The atoms on the left side of the arrow are the same as the atoms on the right, but are arranged differently.

The atoms on the left side of the arrow are different from the atoms on the right, and are arranged differently.

Answer 1

A chemical equation is used to represent a chemical reaction by showing the reactants (starting substances) on the left side of the arrow and the products (substances formed) on the right side. The correct way to describe the relationship between the atoms on both sides of the equation is:

The atoms on the left side of the arrow are the same as the atoms on the right, but are arranged differently.

This means that during a chemical reaction, the same types and numbers of atoms are present before and after the reaction; however, they are rearranged to form new substances.