Question

When heated to 700–800 °C, diamonds, which are pure carbon, are oxidized by atmospheric oxygen. (They burn!) Write the balanced equation for this reaction.

a) C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g)
b) C(s) + 2O₂(g) → CO(g)
c) C(s) + 2O₂(g) → CO₂(g)
d) C(s) + O₂(g) → CO(g)

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the oxidation of diamonds, which are pure carbon, when heated to 700-800 °C in atmospheric oxygen is C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g) (a).

Step-by-step explanation:

When diamonds, which are a form of pure carbon, are heated to 700-800 °C, they undergo oxidation due to the atmospheric oxygen. This chemical reaction involves the diamond (carbon) reacting with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide. The correct balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g)

The option that correctly represents the balanced equation for the burning of carbon in atmospheric oxygen is (c) C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g).

The balanced equation for the oxidation of diamonds by atmospheric oxygen when heated to 700–800 °C is:

C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g)

In this reaction, the carbon in diamonds reacts with oxygen from the atmosphere to form carbon dioxide gas. This is a combustion reaction, as the diamonds burn in the presence of oxygen.