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 hydrogen atoms in reactant

The reactant is $H_2CO_3$. The sub - script of $H$ is 2, so there are 2 hydrogen atoms in the reactant.

Step2: Count carbon atoms in reactant

In $H_2CO_3$, the sub - script of $C$ is 1, so there is 1 carbon atom in the reactant.

Step3: Count oxygen atoms in reactant

In $H_2CO_3$, the sub - script of $O$ is 3, so there are 3 oxygen atoms in the reactant.

Step4: Count hydrogen atoms in product

The products are $H_2O$ and $CO_2$. In $H_2O$, the sub - script of $H$ is 2, and there are no $H$ atoms in $CO_2$, so there are 2 hydrogen atoms in the product.

Step5: Count oxygen atoms in product

In $H_2O$, there is 1 oxygen atom and in $CO_2$ there are 2 oxygen atoms. So in total, there are 1 + 2=3 oxygen atoms in the product.

Step6: Count carbon atoms in product

In $CO_2$, the sub - script of $C$ is 1, and there is no $C$ in $H_2O$, so there is 1 carbon atom in the product.

Step7: Check atom conservation

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). So the answer is yes.

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