Question

Consider the same reaction: 2 molecules of ethylene (C₂H₄) react with 1 molecule of oxygen (O₂) to produce some amount of acetaldehyde (C₂H₄O). Use the number of atoms in the products to answer the question below. During this reaction, how many molecules of acetaldehyde (C₂H₄O) are produced?

Answer 1

In the reaction, 2 molecules of ethylene (C₂H₄) react with 1 molecule of oxygen (O₂) to produce 2 molecules of acetaldehyde (C₂H₄O).

Step-by-step explanation:

In this reaction, 2 molecules of ethylene (C₂H₄) react with 1 molecule of oxygen (O₂) to produce acetaldehyde (C₂H₄O).

To determine how many molecules of acetaldehyde are produced, we need to balance the reaction equation. Since there are 2 carbon atoms in ethylene and acetaldehyde, we need to ensure that there are the same number of carbon atoms on both sides of the equation.

1. 2 C₂H₄ + O₂ → 2 C₂H₄O

Therefore, for every 2 molecules of ethylene and 1 molecule of oxygen, 2 molecules of acetaldehyde are produced.