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

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

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the Law of Conservation of Atoms, which states that in a chemical reaction, the number of atoms of each element 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: 1 C on reactants and 1 C on products; 2 O atoms on reactants but only 1 O atom on products, so atoms are not conserved.
4. Step 4: Repeat this process for the other equations, checking if the number of atoms for each element is balanced on both sides.
5. Step 5: Identify the equation where the number of atoms for every element is equal on both sides, which correctly represents the conservation of atoms.