Question

What do the symbols in parenthesis indicate?

C7H16 (l) + 11O2 (g) 7CO2 (g) + 8H2O (l)
a the physical state of each reactant and product
b the catalyst used in the reaction
c the number of atoms of each reactant and product
d the unit of reactant and product
e the rate of the chemical reaction

Answer 1

It's a, they each represent the physical state of each reactant and product.

Answer 2

Answer: a the physical state of each reactant and product

Step-by-step explanation:

`C_7H_(16)(l)+11O_2(g)\rightarrow 7CO_2(g)+8H_2O(l)`

This is an example of combustion in which hydrocarbon is reacted with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

According to the law of conservation of mass, mass can neither be created nor be destroyed. Thus the mass of products has to be equal to the mass of reactants. The number of atoms of each element has to be same on reactant and product side.

Thus chemical equations are balanced and the physical state of each reactant and product is specified in the balanced chemical equation.