The conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only be transformed from one form to another. This means that the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of a chemical equation.
Let's analyze the two equations you've provided:
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GH2O + 6 CO2 -> C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Here, it appears that "GH2O" is likely a typo and should be "6 H2O." In this case:- Reactants: 6 H2O (6 H and 6 O) and 6 CO2 (6 C and 12 O)
- Products: C6H12O6 (6 C, 12 H, and 6 O) and 6 O2 (12 O)
- Total (Reactants): 6 H + 12 O + 6 C = 6 O + 12 H + 6 C = 6 C + 12 H + 6 O = 24 atoms total.
- Total (Products): 6 O + 12 H + 6 C = 6 C + 12 H + 12 O = 30 atoms total.
This equation reflects a violation of conservation of matter because the number of oxygen atoms does not balance properly.
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6 H2O + 6 CO2 -> C3H3O3 + 3 O2
Here, we can analyze:- Reactants: 6 H2O (6 H and 6 O) and 6 CO2 (6 C and 12 O)
- Products: C3H3O3 (3 C, 3 H, and 3 O) and 3 O2 (6 O)
- Total (Reactants): 6 H + 6 O + 6 C + 12 O = 6 H + 6 C + 18 O = 30 atoms total.
- Total (Products): 6 O + 3 C + 3 H = 3 C + 3 H + 6 O = 12 atoms total.
This equation also does not balance out, showing a lack of conservation of matter.
After reviewing, neither equation actually adheres to the conservation of matter principle as presented. However, the first equation is much more recognizable as a correct form of the equation for photosynthesis if "GH2O" is corrected. If you meant to use "6 H2O," that would make Equation 1 more closely reflective of a balanced chemical equation than Equation 2.
To summarize, while both equations may not properly follow the conservation of matter without further adjustments, the first equation is better initially recognizable and much closer to a known balanced reaction.
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