A particulate diagram is intended to represent the reaction 2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(g)
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · AP · Chemistry · Chemical Reactions · Chemical Reactions
Problem
A particulate diagram is intended to represent the reaction 2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(g).
In the diagram,
Reactants (left of the arrow): three H2 molecules and one O2 molecule.
Products (right of the arrow): three H2O molecules.
No other particles are shown.
Which statement best explains why the diagram is inconsistent with the balanced equation?
(a) Each side of the diagram shows a different total number of molecules, which violates conservation of matter.
(b) One O2 molecule should remain unreacted on the product side, because oxygen is in excess compared with hydrogen.
(c) The reactant side should contain H2 and O2 molecules in a 2:1 ratio, not 3:1, so the reactants are drawn incorrectly.
(d) The reactants should be depicted as individual H and O atoms because bonds must break before the reaction occurs.