Suppose 10 atoms of carbon (C) react with 20 atoms of oxygen (O) to form 10 molecules of carbon dioxide ( CO2

Question

). According to the law of conservation of matter, how many atoms are present in this reaction?

Answer 1

To analyze the reaction between carbon and oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO₂), let's break it down:

1. Starting atoms:

   • Carbon (C): 10 atoms
   • Oxygen (O): 20 atoms

2. Products:

   • When carbon and oxygen react to form carbon dioxide, each molecule of CO₂ consists of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.
   • Since 10 CO₂ molecules are produced, they will contain:
     • Carbon: 10 atoms (1 atom of C per CO₂ × 10 CO₂)
     • Oxygen: 20 atoms (2 atoms of O per CO₂ × 10 CO₂)

Given that the law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, the total number of atoms before the reaction must equal the total number of atoms after the reaction.

3. Total atoms before the reaction:

   • Total = C atoms + O atoms = 10 (C) + 20 (O) = 30 atoms

4. Total atoms after the reaction:

   • Total = C atoms from CO₂ + O atoms from CO₂ = 10 (from C) + 20 (from O) = 30 atoms

Since both sides have the same total number of atoms, we conclude that the total number of atoms present in this reaction is 30 atoms.