Question

Use the atomic masses for carbon and oxygen to show that the mass is conserved and the number of atoms is balanced for the following chemical equation2CO(g) + O2(g) =2CO2(g)

Answer 1

Since the total sum of atomic masses at the reactant is equal to that of the product hence the mass is conserved and the number of atoms is balanced for the chemical equation

Explanations:

In order to show that mass is conserved in a chemical reaction, the moles of atom in the reactant must be equal to that of the product.

Using the atomic masses of carbon and oxygen

Atomic mass of carbon = 12g/mol

Atomic mass of oxygen = 16g/mol

Calculating the total atomic mass at the reactant side

2CO = 2(12+16) = 56g/mol

O2 = 2(16) = 32g/mol

Total atomic masses at the reactant = 56 + 32 = 88g/mol

Calculate the total atomic masses at the product side

2CO2 = 2(12 + 2(16))

2CO2 = 2(12 + 32)

2CO2 = 2(44) = 88g/mol

Since the total sum of atomic masses at the reactant is equal to that of the product hence the mass is conserved and the number of atoms is balanced for the chemical equation