select the correct answer. which of the following is a correctly balanced equation? a. naclo₃ → nacl + 3o₂…
select the correct answer. which of the following is a correctly balanced equation? a. naclo₃ → nacl + 3o₂ b. 2hgo → 2hg + o₂ c. 2zns + o₂ → 2zno + 2so₂ d. 4co + fe₃o₄ → 4co₂ + fe e. 2fe + 2cl₂ → 2fecl₃
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Check option A
On the left - hand side, for the oxygen atoms in $NaClO_3$, there are 3 oxygen atoms. On the right - hand side, in $3O_2$, there are 6 oxygen atoms. So, it is not balanced.
Step2: Check option B
In $2HgO$, there are 2 mercury ($Hg$) atoms and 2 oxygen ($O$) atoms. In $2Hg+O_2$, there are 2 mercury atoms and 2 oxygen atoms. The number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
Step3: Check option C
On the left - hand side, for sulfur atoms in $2ZnS$, there are 2 sulfur atoms. In $O_2$, there are 2 oxygen atoms. On the right - hand side, in $2ZnO$ there are 2 oxygen atoms and in $2SO_2$ there are 4 oxygen atoms and 2 sulfur atoms. The oxygen atoms are not balanced.
Step4: Check option D
On the left - hand side, in $Fe_3O_4$ there are 3 iron ($Fe$) atoms. On the right - hand side, in $Fe$ there is 1 iron atom. It is not balanced.
Step5: Check option E
On the left - hand side, in $2Fe$ there are 2 iron atoms and in $2Cl_2$ there are 4 chlorine atoms. On the right - hand side, in $2FeCl_3$ there are 2 iron atoms and 6 chlorine atoms. It is not balanced.
Answer:
B. $2HgO\rightarrow2Hg + O_2$