Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correctly balanced chemical equation for the reaction between elemental phosphorus, P_4(s), and oxygen gas, O_2(g), to form tetraphosphorus decoxide, P_4O_{10}(s)?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Balancing Chemical Equations
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To balance a chemical equation, it may be necessary to adjust the:
A
coefficients of the reactants and products
B
atomic numbers of the elements
C
subscripts in the chemical formulas
D
physical states of the compounds
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that balancing a chemical equation involves making sure the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Recognize that the atomic numbers of elements and the subscripts in chemical formulas represent the identity and fixed composition of the substances and cannot be changed during balancing.
Know that physical states (like solid, liquid, gas) are important for describing the reaction but do not affect the balancing of atoms.
Learn that the only way to balance the equation is by adjusting the coefficients, which are the numbers placed before the chemical formulas to indicate the number of molecules or moles.
Therefore, to balance a chemical equation, you adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products without changing the subscripts or atomic numbers.
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