This chemical reaction is depicted: SnO2 + H2→Sn + H2O. What can be affirmed regarding this chemical reaction?

Question

A. It is balanced because the quantity of reactants matches the quantity of products.
B. It is unbalanced as the mass of the reactants is less than the mass of the products.
C. It is balanced as the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.
D. It is unbalanced due to the fact that the mass of the reactants exceeds the mass of the products.
Can it e option C?

Answer 1

To analyze the chemical reaction \( \text{SnO}_2 + \text{H}_2 \rightarrow \text{Sn} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \):

1. Count the atoms in the reactants and products:

   • Reactants:
     • 1 Sn atom (from SnO2)
     • 2 O atoms (from SnO2)
     • 2 H atoms (from H2)
   • Products:
     • 1 Sn atom (from Sn)
     • 2 H atoms (from H2O)
     • 1 O atom (from H2O)

2. Total atoms:

   • Reactants: 1 Sn, 2 O, 2 H → total of 5 atoms
   • Products: 1 Sn, 1 O, 2 H → total of 4 atoms (1 Sn + 2 H + 1 O)

As we can see, the number of atoms is not equal on both sides of the equation, indicating that the equation is unbalanced.

3. Evaluating the options:
   • A: It is balanced because the quantity of reactants matches the quantity of products. (Incorrect)
   • B: It is unbalanced as the mass of the reactants is less than the mass of the products. (Incorrect)
   • C: It is balanced as the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products. (Incorrect)
   • D: It is unbalanced due to the fact that the mass of the reactants exceeds the mass of the products. (True in terms of atoms, not strictly mass since they are composed of similar types of atoms)

Therefore, the correct affirmation regarding this chemical reaction is D, as it is unbalanced due to an unequal number of atoms on either side of the equation. So, option C is not correct.