Question

h₂co₃ → h₂o + co₂

• how many atoms of hydrogen are in the reactant (total)? ______

• how many atoms of carbon are in the reactant (total)? ______

• how many atoms of oxygen are in the reactant (total)? ______

• how many atoms of hydrogen are in the product? ______

• how many atoms of oxygen are in the product (total)? ______

• how many atoms of carbon are in the product? ______

• does the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side match that of the product side? ______

Explanation:

Step1: Count H in reactant

The reactant is $H_2CO_3$. There are 2 hydrogen atoms in $H_2CO_3$.

Step2: Count C in reactant

In $H_2CO_3$, there is 1 carbon atom.

Step3: Count O in reactant

In $H_2CO_3$, there are 3 oxygen atoms.

Step4: Count H in product

The products are $H_2O$ and $CO_2$. In $H_2O$, there are 2 hydrogen atoms and $CO_2$ has 0 hydrogen atoms, so total 2 hydrogen atoms.

Step5: Count O in product

In $H_2O$, there is 1 oxygen atom and in $CO_2$ there are 2 oxygen atoms, so total 3 oxygen atoms.

Step6: Count C in product

In $CO_2$, there is 1 carbon atom.

Step7: Check atom - balance

The number of hydrogen atoms on reactant side (2) = number of hydrogen atoms on product side (2). The number of carbon atoms on reactant side (1)= number of carbon atoms on product side (1). The number of oxygen atoms on reactant side (3)= number of oxygen atoms on product side (3).

Answer:

• How many atoms of Hydrogen are in the reactant (total)? 2
• How many atoms of Carbon are in the reactant (total)? 1
• How many atoms of Oxygen are in the reactant (total)? 3
• How many atoms of Hydrogen are in the product? 2
• How many atoms of Oxygen are in the product (total)? 3
• How many atoms of Carbon are in the product? 1
• Does the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side match that of the product side? Yes