Question

What do the coefficients 4 and 3 represent in the equation: 4 Al(s) + 3 O₂ (g) 2 Al₂O₃(s)?

a) 4 grams of aluminum are consumed for every 3 grams of oxygen
b) 4 molecules of aluminum are consumed for every 3 molecules of oxygen
c) 4 moles of aluminum are consumed for every 3 moles of oxygen
d) Both 2 and 3 are true
e) 1, 2, and 3 are all true

Answer 1

The coefficients 4 and 3 in the equation represent the ratio of molecules consumed in the reaction: 4 molecules of aluminum for every 3 molecules of oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the chemical equation 4 Al(s) + 3 O₂ (g) → 2 Al₂O₃(s), the coefficients 4 and 3 represent the relative number of moles or molecules involved in the reaction. The correct option is b) 4 molecules of aluminum are consumed for every 3 molecules of oxygen. This means that for every 4 moles (or molecules) of aluminum, 3 moles (or molecules) of oxygen are consumed to form 2 moles (or molecules) of aluminum oxide.