Question

If the product is CO_2 and 2h2o what set of atoms must make up the reactants so the equation shows the law of conservation of mass

A) C, O, H
B) C, O, H2
C) C, O2, H2
D) CO, H2O

Answer 1

The correct set of atoms that make up the reactants for the products CO₂ and 2H₂O, which adhere to the law of conservation of mass, is carbon (C), diatomic oxygen (O₂), and diatomic hydrogen (H₂) - option C.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the product is CO₂ and 2H₂O, the set of atoms that must make up the reactants to ensure the chemical equation adheres to the law of conservation of mass is C, O₂, and H₂ (option C).

The law of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system. Therefore, in order to balance a chemical equation, we must have the same number of atoms of each element on both the reactant and product sides. For the formation of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) and H₂O (water), we need carbon (C), oxygen (O₂), and hydrogen (H₂) atoms. When we write the balanced equation, it looks like this: C(s) + O₂(g) + 2H₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(l), satisfying the law of conservation of mass.