Which of the following is the correctly balanced chemical equation for the reaction between CCl4 and Br2 to produce CBr4 and Cl2?

• A. CCl4 + Br2 → CBr4 + Cl2
• B. CCl4 + 2 Br2 → CBr4 + 2 Cl2
• C. 2 CCl4 + 2 Br2 → 2 CBr4 + 2 Cl2
• D. CCl4 + Br2 → BrCl + C + CBr4 + Cl2

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the given chemical reaction: CCl4 reacts with Br2 to form CBr4 and Cl2.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\mathrm{CCl_4 + Br_2 \rightarrow CBr_4 + Cl_2}\).
3. Balance the carbon atoms first. Since there is 1 carbon atom on both sides, carbon is already balanced.
4. Balance the halogen atoms next. On the left, there are 4 chlorine atoms in CCl4 and 2 bromine atoms in Br2. On the right, there are 4 bromine atoms in CBr4 and 2 chlorine atoms in Cl2. To balance, adjust coefficients to ensure equal numbers of Cl and Br atoms on both sides.
5. Set coefficients to balance halogens: place a coefficient of 1 before CCl4, 2 before Br2, 1 before CBr4, and 2 before Cl2, resulting in the balanced equation \(\mathrm{CCl_4 + 2 Br_2 \rightarrow CBr_4 + 2 Cl_2}\).