Question

Which is the correct chemical equation for the following statement? "Sodium reacts with oxygen in a 2 to 1 ratio to produce sodium oxide."

a) Na₂ + O₂ → 2NaO
b) Na₂O + O₂ → 2Na
c) Na₂O → 2Na + O₂
d) 4Na + 2O₂ → 2Na₂O

Answer 1

The correct equation is 4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O, which is balanced and reflects the 2 to 1 sodium to oxygen ratio needed to produce sodium oxide.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct chemical equation for the statement "Sodium reacts with oxygen in a 2 to 1 ratio to produce sodium oxide" is d) 4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O. In this equation, we have four sodium (Na) atoms and two oxygen (O) atoms in the reactants, which yields two molecules of sodium oxide (Na₂O), each comprising two sodium atoms and a single oxygen atom. Therefore, the atoms are balanced on both sides of the equation, aligning with the 2 to 1 ratio mentioned in the statement and adhering to the law of conservation of matter.