In which chemical equation is the number of atoms in the reactants the same as the number of the atoms in the product
The number of atoms in the reactants is the same as the number of atoms in the product in a balanced chemical equation.
A chemical equation in which the number of atoms in the reactants is the same as the number of atoms in the products is known as a balanced chemical equation. In a balanced equation, the law of conservation of mass is followed, meaning that matter cannot be created or destroyed during a chemical reaction.
To illustrate, let's use the example of the combustion of methane (CH4) in the presence of oxygen (O2) to form carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O):
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
In this equation, there are four hydrogen atoms (4H) and one carbon atom (1C) on the left side (reactant side), and the same number of atoms on the right side (product side). Additionally, there are also four oxygen atoms (4O) on both sides of the equation. Hence, this equation is considered balanced.
To determine a chemical equation in which the number of atoms in the reactants is the same as the number of atoms in the products, we need to analyze the balanced chemical equations.
A balanced chemical equation represents the stoichiometry of a chemical reaction, meaning it shows the ratio of reactants and products. The coefficients in front of the chemical formulas represent the number of molecules or atoms involved in the reaction.
Let's consider the following balanced chemical equation as an example:
2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
In this equation, we have:
Reactants:
2H₂ (2 molecules of hydrogen gas, each containing 2 atoms of hydrogen)
O₂ (1 molecule of oxygen gas, containing 2 atoms of oxygen)
Products:
2H₂O (2 molecules of water, each containing 2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen)
If we count the total number of atoms on both sides, we find:
Reactants:
H: 2 atoms x 2 molecules = 4 atoms
O: 2 atoms x 1 molecule = 2 atoms
Products:
H: 2 atoms x 2 molecules = 4 atoms
O: 1 atom x 2 molecules = 2 atoms
As you can see, the number of atoms in the reactants (4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms) is the same as the number of atoms in the products (4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms). Therefore, this chemical equation satisfies the condition you mentioned.
In summary, the balanced chemical equation that fulfills the requirement of having the same number of atoms in the reactants as in the products is 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O.