Suppose 10 atoms of carbon (C) react with 20 atoms of oxygen (O) to form 10 molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2
). According to the law of conservation of matter, how many atoms are present in this reaction?(1 point)
Responses
30
30
15
15
10
10
20
The correct answer is 30 atoms.
In the reaction given, 10 atoms of carbon combine with 20 atoms of oxygen to form 10 molecules of carbon dioxide. In each molecule of carbon dioxide, there is one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. So, in 10 molecules of carbon dioxide, we have 10 carbon atoms and 20 oxygen atoms.
Therefore, the total number of atoms present in the reaction is 10 (carbon atoms) + 20 (oxygen atoms) = 30 atoms.