To determine which equation best represents conservation of matter, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Let's analyze the first and the last equations.
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3H2O + 3CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2
- Reactants: 3 H2O (6 H, 3 O) + 3 CO2 (3 C, 6 O)
- Total: 6 H, 3 C, 9 O
- Products: C6H12O6 (6 C, 12 H, 6 O) + 6 O2 (0 C, 0 H, 12 O)
- Total: 6 C, 12 H, 18 O
- Not conserved.
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6H2O + 6CO2 → C3H6O3 + 3O2
- Reactants: 6 H2O (12 H, 6 O) + 6 CO2 (6 C, 12 O)
- Total: 12 H, 6 C, 18 O
- Products: C3H6O3 (3 C, 6 H, 3 O) + 3 O2 (0 C, 0 H, 6 O)
- Total: 3 C, 6 H, 9 O
- Not conserved.
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6H2O + 10CO2 → C6H12O6 + 4O2
- Reactants: 6 H2O (12 H, 6 O) + 10 CO2 (10 C, 20 O)
- Total: 12 H, 10 C, 26 O
- Products: C6H12O6 (6 C, 12 H, 6 O) + 4 O2 (0 C, 0 H, 8 O)
- Total: 6 C, 12 H, 14 O
- Not conserved.
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6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2
- Reactants: 6 H2O (12 H, 6 O) + 6 CO2 (6 C, 12 O)
- Total: 12 H, 6 C, 18 O
- Products: C6H12O6 (6 C, 12 H, 6 O) + 6 O2 (0 C, 0 H, 12 O)
- Total: 6 C, 12 H, 18 O
- Conserved.
The fourth equation (6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2) best represents the conservation of matter, as it maintains a balance of atoms on both sides.