Question

The equation below is for potassium oxide.

Answer 1

Answer;

The ratio is 2:1

Explanation;

• The reaction above is a combustion reaction where potassium metal reacts with oxygen to form potassium oxide.
• From the equation 4 moles of potassium reacts with one mole of oxygen to form 2 moles of potassium oxide. This is achieved by balancing the equation so as to obey the law of conservation of mass which requires the number of atoms of an element to be the same in either side of a chemical reaction.
• Therefore, the ratio of atoms of potassium to the atoms of oxygen will be 4:2, which when simplified gives 2:1.

Answer 2

Answer: The ratio of atoms of potassium to ratio of atoms of oxygen is 4:2

Explanation:

According to the law of conservation of mass, mass can neither be created nor be destroyed, and remains conserved. The mass of products must be same as that of the reactants.

Thus the number of atoms of each element must be same on both sides of the equation so as to keep the mass same and thus balanced chemical equations are written.

K exists as atoms and oxygen exist as molecule which consists of 2 atoms. The ratio of number of atoms on both sides of the reaction are same and thus the ratio of atoms of potassium to ratio of atoms of oxygen is 4:2.