In which chemical equation is the number of atoms in the reactants the same as the number of atoms in the products?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Li2CO3 → LiO + CO2
Li 2 CO 3 → LiO + CO 2

Zn + 2HCl → H2 + ZnCl2
Zn + 2HCl → H 2 + ZnCl 2

CO2 + H2O → CH2OH + O2
CO 2 + H 2 O → CH 2 OH + O 2

CH4 + O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

Answer 1

To determine which chemical equation has the same number of atoms in the reactants as in the products, we need to count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

1. Li₂CO₃ → LiO + CO₂

   • Reactants: 2 Li, 1 C, 3 O (Total: 6 atoms)
   • Products: 1 Li, 1 O, 1 C, 2 O (Total: 4 atoms)
   • Not balanced.

2. Zn + 2HCl → H₂ + ZnCl₂

   • Reactants: 1 Zn, 2 H, 2 Cl (Total: 5 atoms)
   • Products: 1 Zn, 2 H, 2 Cl (Total: 5 atoms)
   • Balanced!

3. CO₂ + H₂O → CH₂OH + O₂

   • Reactants: 1 C, 2 O (from CO₂), 2 H, 1 O (from H₂O) (Total: 5 atoms)
   • Products: 1 C, 2 H, 2 O (1 from CH₂OH and 1 from O₂) (Total: 5 atoms)
   • Balanced!

4. CH₄ + O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

   • Reactants: 1 C, 4 H, 2 O (Total: 7 atoms)
   • Products: 1 C, 2 O (from CO₂), 4 H (from 2H₂O), 1 O (from 2H₂O) (Total: 7 atoms)
   • Balanced!

Among the equations, the second (Zn + 2HCl → H₂ + ZnCl₂) has the same number of atoms in the reactants as in the products.

So, the correct response is:
Zn + 2HCl → H₂ + ZnCl₂