Question

fill out the table below based on the following chemical equation: hgo → hg + o₂ total # before (reactants) elements total # after (reactants) hg o the correct coefficients for the equation is: hgo → hg + o₂

Explanation:

Step1: Balance the oxygen atoms

To balance the oxygen atoms, since there are 2 oxygen atoms in $O_2$, we need 2 moles of $HgO$. So the coefficient of $HgO$ is 2.
$2HgO
ightarrow Hg + O_2$

Step2: Balance the mercury atoms

After setting the coefficient of $HgO$ as 2, we have 2 mercury atoms on the left - hand side. So the coefficient of $Hg$ on the right - hand side should be 2.
$2HgO
ightarrow 2Hg + O_2$

For the table:

• Before the reaction (for $2HgO$):
• For $Hg$ in $HgO$, the total number of $Hg$ atoms is 2.
• For $O$ in $HgO$, the total number of $O$ atoms is 2.
• After the reaction (for $2Hg+O_2$):
• For $Hg$, the total number of $Hg$ atoms is 2.
• For $O$, the total number of $O$ atoms is 2.

Answer:

The correct coefficients for the equation is $2HgO
ightarrow 2Hg + 1O_2$.

Total # Before (reactants)	Elements	Total # After (Products)
2	O	2