Question

What is the correct balanced equation for the following equilibrium constant expression?

Answer 1

The correct answer is 3) 2CO2(g) ⇄ 2CO(g)  + O2(g)

this is the correct one because it is a decomposition reaction and all the number of atoms is equal on both sides.

there are 2 C atoms on both sides. 

and 4 O atoms on both sides.

and 1) the atoms numbers are equal on both sides but not correct as it not a

correct number as it has 1/2 O2.


and 2) CO2(g) ⇆ CO(g) + O2 

the number of O atoms is not equal on both sides of the equation.

we have 2 O atoms on the left side and 3 O atoms on the right side.

so, this not a balanced equation.

4) also not correct 2CO(g) + O2 ⇆ 2CO2

as it is not a decomposition reaction and the 2CO & O2 are as reactants not products.

so the correct answer is 3) 2CO2(g) ⇆ 2CO(g) + O2(g)