Which of the following chemical equations correctly demonstrates the conservation of atoms?

• A. C + O_2 ightarrow CO
• B. N_2 + 3H_2 ightarrow 2NH_3 + H_2
• C. 2H_2 + O_2 ightarrow 2H_2O
• D. 2Na + Cl_2 ightarrow NaCl

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the Law of Conservation of Atoms, which states that in a chemical reaction, atoms are neither created nor destroyed. This means the number of each type of atom must be the same on both sides of the equation.
2. Step 2: For each given chemical equation, count the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side and compare it to the number on the product side.
3. Step 3: For example, in the equation \(\mathrm{C + O_2 \rightarrow CO}\), count carbon and oxygen atoms on both sides. On the left, there is 1 carbon and 2 oxygens; on the right, there is 1 carbon and 1 oxygen. Since oxygen atoms are not balanced, this equation does not conserve atoms.
4. Step 4: Repeat this process for each equation. The equation that has the same number of atoms of each element on both sides correctly demonstrates conservation of atoms.
5. Step 5: Identify the equation where the coefficients balance all atoms, such as \(\mathrm{2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O}\), where hydrogen and oxygen atoms are equal on both sides, thus correctly demonstrating conservation of atoms.