Use the chemical equation to find the answers.
H2CO3 → H2O + CO2
Identify how many oxygen atoms are in the product.
Identify how many oxygen atoms are in the reactant.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
In the chemical equation ( \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{CO}_2 ), we can analyze the number of oxygen atoms present in both the reactants and products.
Reactant Analysis
The reactant in this equation is carbonic acid (( \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 )). In its molecular formula:
- H: There are 2 hydrogen atoms.
- C: There is 1 carbon atom.
- O: There are 3 oxygen atoms.
Thus, the total number of oxygen atoms in the reactant (( \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 )) is 3.
Product Analysis
The products of the reaction are water (( \text{H}_2\text{O} )) and carbon dioxide (( \text{CO}_2 )). Let’s analyze the oxygen content in both products:
- Water (( \text{H}_2\text{O} )):
- H: 2 hydrogen atoms.
- O: 1 oxygen atom.
- Carbon Dioxide (( \text{CO}_2 )):
- C: 1 carbon atom.
- O: 2 oxygen atoms.
Now, summing up the oxygen atoms in the products:
- From ( \text{H}_2\text{O} ): 1 oxygen atom.
- From ( \text{CO}_2 ): 2 oxygen atoms.
Therefore, the total number of oxygen atoms in the products is ( 1 + 2 = 3 ).
Summary
- Oxygen atoms in reactants (H₂CO₃): 3
- Oxygen atoms in products (H₂O + CO₂): 3
This analysis reveals that the reaction does not change the number of oxygen atoms in the system. It maintains a balance, which is consistent with the law of conservation of mass, stating that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Hence, the total number of atoms of each element before and after the reaction remains equal, showcasing a fundamental principle of chemical equations. This balance is crucial for understanding stoichiometry in chemistry, where the ratios of reactants and products must be adhered to, reflecting the conservation of mass throughout chemical processes.