To determine which equation best represents the conservation of matter, we must ensure that the same number of each type of atom is present on both sides of the equation.
Let's analyze each option:
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3 H₂O + 3 CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂
- Reactants: 3 H₂O (6 H, 3 O) + 3 CO₂ (3 C, 6 O) → Total: 3 C, 6 H, 9 O
- Products: C₆H₁₂O₆ (6 C, 12 H, 6 O) + 6 O₂ (12 O) → Total: 6 C, 12 H, 18 O
- Not balanced.
-
6 H₂O + 6 CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂
- Reactants: 6 H₂O (12 H, 6 O) + 6 CO₂ (6 C, 12 O) → Total: 6 C, 12 H, 18 O
- Products: C₆H₁₂O₆ (6 C, 12 H, 6 O) + 6 O₂ (12 O) → Total: 6 C, 12 H, 18 O
- Balanced.
-
6 H₂O + 10 CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 4 O₂
- Reactants: 6 H₂O (12 H, 6 O) + 10 CO₂ (10 C, 20 O) → Total: 10 C, 12 H, 26 O
- Products: C₆H₁₂O₆ (6 C, 12 H, 6 O) + 4 O₂ (8 O) → Total: 6 C, 12 H, 14 O
- Not balanced.
-
6 H₂O + 6 CO₂ → C₃H₆O₃ + 3 O₂
- Reactants: 6 H₂O (12 H, 6 O) + 6 CO₂ (6 C, 12 O) → Total: 6 C, 12 H, 18 O
- Products: C₃H₆O₃ (3 C, 6 H, 3 O) + 3 O₂ (6 O) → Total: 3 C, 6 H, 9 O
- Not balanced.
Based on this analysis, the equation that best represents the conservation of matter is:
6 H₂O + 6 CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂