Question

Which of the following equation is balanced? 1. 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O 2. 2Na + O2 → 2Na2O 3. FeS + HCl → 2FeCl2 + H2S 4. NH4OH → NH3 + 2H2O

Answer 1

Upon examining the provided chemical equations, option 1, which is 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O, is the only balanced chemical equation because the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine if the given chemical equations are balanced, we must ensure that the number of atoms for each element on the reactant side is equal to the number on the product side. Let's analyze each one:

1. 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O - For hydrogen, there are 2 × 2 = 4 hydrogen atoms on the reactant side and 2 × 2 = 4 hydrogen atoms on the product side. For oxygen, there are 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 1 × 2 = 2 oxygen atoms on the product side. This equation is balanced.
2. 2Na + O2 → 2Na2O - This equation is not balanced because there are 2 sodium atoms on the reactant side and 4 sodium atoms on the product side.
3. FeS + HCl → 2FeCl2 + H2S - This equation is not balanced because there is only one iron atom on the reactant side and two iron atoms on the product side.
4. NH4OH → NH3 + 2H2O - This equation is not balanced because there are 4 hydrogen atoms on the left and 7 hydrogen atoms on the right.

Based on this assessment, option 1 (2H2 + O2 → 2H2O) is the correctly balanced chemical equation.