A student claims that the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide is evidence supporting the claim that mass is conserved in a reaction. The chemical equation the student uses for the reaction is shown.
H2 + O2 → H2O2
Does this evidence support the claim? Why or why not?
(1 point)
Responses
No, it does not support the claim because more hydrogen is necessary.
No, it does not support the claim because more hydrogen is necessary.
Yes, it supports the claim because the equation is balanced.
Yes, it supports the claim because the equation is balanced.
No, it does not support the claim because more oxygen is necessary.
No, it does not support the claim because more oxygen is necessary.
Yes, it supports the claim because the mass before and after is the same.
Yes, it supports the claim because the equation is balanced.
In a balanced chemical equation, the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side must be equal to the number of atoms of each element on the product side. This ensures that mass is conserved in the reaction. In the given equation, H2 + O2 → H2O2, the equation is balanced with 2 atoms of hydrogen and 2 atoms of oxygen on both sides of the equation. This demonstrates that mass is conserved in the reaction.