Question

Which chemical equation is incorrect, where one of the coefficients for the reactants or products is incorrect?

a) 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
b) 4Fe + 3O₂ → 2Fe₂O₃
c) CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O
d) 3CO + 2H₂ → CH₃OH

Answer 1

Among the given options, 3CO + 2H₂ → CH₃OH is the incorrect equation because it is not balanced. There is a discrepancy in the number of CO molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which chemical equation is incorrect, let's examine each one and verify if they are balanced:

• a) 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O: Balanced. This equation has 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on both the reactant and the product sides.
• b) 4Fe + 3O₂ → 2Fe₂O₃: Balanced. There are 4 iron atoms and 6 oxygen atoms on both sides.
• c) CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O: Balanced. There is 1 carbon atom, 4 hydrogen atoms, and 4 oxygen atoms on both sides.
• d) 3CO + 2H₂ → CH₃OH: Unbalanced. This equation requires further examination due to the discrepancy in the number of oxygen atoms.

Upon closer inspection of option d), the balanced equation should be CO + 2H₂ → CH₃OH. Since the incorrect equation provided has extra carbon monoxide (CO) molecules, the equation is not balanced.