Question

1. consider the following balanced chemical equation: 4fe + 3o₂ → 2fe₂o₃ what can be concluded from this reaction? the number of oxygen atoms decreases because they are consumed during the reaction. four iron atoms are required to bond with each oxygen atom in the reaction. the total number of atoms stays the same because atoms are rearranged but not created or destroyed. the number of iron atoms in the products is greater than in the reactants because iron is a metal.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: In a chemical reaction, atoms are conserved (Law of Conservation of Mass). For oxygen, on reactant side: \(3O_2\) has \(3\times2 = 6\) O atoms. On product side: \(2Fe_2O_3\) has \(2\times3=6\) O atoms. So oxygen atoms do not decrease. Eliminate this option.
2. Analyze the second option: From the equation \(4Fe + 3O_2=2Fe_2O_3\), the ratio of Fe to O atoms: 4 Fe atoms react with 6 O atoms (from \(3O_2\)). So the ratio of Fe to O is \(4:6 = 2:3\), not 4:1. Eliminate this option.
3. Analyze the third option: Law of Conservation of Mass states that in a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged (bonded in different ways) but not created or destroyed. Calculate total atoms: Reactants: 4 Fe + 6 O (from \(3O_2\)) = 10 atoms. Products: \(2Fe_2O_3\) has \(2\times(2Fe + 3O)=4Fe + 6O\), total 10 atoms. So total number of atoms stays the same. This option is correct.
4. Analyze the fourth option: Reactant Fe: 4 atoms. Product Fe: \(2Fe_2O_3\) has \(2\times2 = 4\) Fe atoms. So number of Fe atoms is same, not greater. Eliminate this option.

Answer:

The total number of atoms stays the same because atoms are rearranged but not created or destroyed.