When the reaction V + O_2 → VO is balanced, what are the correct coefficients for V, O_2, and VO, respectively?

• A. 2, 2, 2
• B. 2, 1, 2
• C. 1, 1, 1
• D. 1, 2, 2

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\mathrm{V} + \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{VO}\).
2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. On the left, you have 1 V atom and 2 O atoms (from \(\mathrm{O}_2\)). On the right, you have 1 V atom and 1 O atom (from \(\mathrm{VO}\)).
3. To balance oxygen atoms, note that oxygen appears as \(\mathrm{O}_2\) on the left and as a single O in \(\mathrm{VO}\) on the right. Since there are 2 oxygen atoms on the left, you need 2 \(\mathrm{VO}\) molecules on the right to have 2 oxygen atoms.
4. Adjust the coefficients accordingly: place a coefficient of 2 in front of \(\mathrm{VO}\) to balance oxygen atoms, and then balance vanadium atoms by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of V on the left.
5. Verify that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides: 2 V atoms and 2 O atoms on both sides, confirming the balanced equation is \$2\mathrm{V} + \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\mathrm{VO}$.