Chemical equations must be balanced to satisfy …?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C) law of conservation of mass.
Chemical equations must be balanced to satisfy the law of conservation of mass. This law states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Therefore, during a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the products. Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, preserving the total mass.
In any chemical reaction, atoms are neither lost nor gained; they are simply rearranged. This means that the reactants undergo chemical changes to form products, but the total number of atoms of each element before the reaction must be the same as the total number of atoms after the reaction. Balancing chemical equations ensures this principle is upheld.
For example, consider the combustion of methane:
CH4+O2→CO2+H2O\text{CH}_4 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O}
In this unbalanced equation, there are 1 carbon atom, 4 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms on the left side. To balance the equation, the number of atoms on both sides must be equal. The balanced equation would be:
CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2O\text{CH}_4 + 2 \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O}
Now, the number of carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms, and oxygen atoms is the same on both sides, reflecting the conservation of mass.
In summary, balancing chemical equations is a key part of chemical reactions, ensuring that the law of conservation of mass is adhered to. This process also makes it possible to predict the quantities of products and reactants involved in the reaction, which is essential for practical applications in industries, laboratories, and everyday chemical processes.