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Given the balanced equation with an unknown compound represented by X:

Which compound is represented by x ?

Given the balanced equation with an unknown compound represented by X: Which compound-example-1
User Andimeier
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1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

CH3CH2OH

Step-by-step explanation:

The reactant has:

- 6 carbon atoms

- 12 hydrogen atoms

- 6 oxygen atoms

The second product has:

- 4 oxygen atoms

- 2 carbon atoms

In 2CH3CH2OH there are:

- 4 carbon atoms

- 12 hydrogen atoms

- 2 oxygen atoms

If you combine the number of atoms of each chemical species of both 2CH3CH2OH and the second product, you will see that you get the same number of atoms of each chemical species in the reactant:

carbon = 2 + 4 = 6 (number of carbon atoms in reactant)

oxygen = 4 + 2 = 6 (number of oxygen atoms in reactant)

hydrogen = 0 + 12 = 12 (number of hydrogen atoms in reactant)

This means that no atoms were created or destroyed which is true for all equations. If this was done with one of the other compounds listed, atoms would have been created or destroyed which cannot happen. In all equations, atoms are never created or destroyed, however they do rearrange to form new products.

User Edwin Nyawoli
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