Question

Which equation shows conservation of atoms?

Answer 1

Answer C because it is a balanced equation that shows an equal amount of hydrogen atoms on both sides of the equation as well as an equal amount of oxygen on both sides. No atoms are lost or destroyed in this equation

Answer 2

Answer: The equation showing conservation of atoms is $2H_2+O_2\rightarrow H_2O$

Explanation:

Every balanced chemical equation follows law of conservation of mass.

This law states that mass can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can only be transformed from one form to another form. This also means that total number of individual atoms on reactant side must be equal to the total number of individual atoms on the product side.

For the given chemical equations:

• Option A:

The given chemical equation follows:

$H_2+O_2\rightarrow H_2O$

There are 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen atom on product side.

So, this equation does not show conservation of atoms.

• Option B:

The given chemical equation follows:

$H_2+O_2\rightarrow 2H_2O$

There are 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on product side.

So, this equation does not show conservation of atoms.

• Option C:

The given chemical equation follows:

$2H_2+O_2\rightarrow H_2O$

There are 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on product side.

So, this equation shows conservation of atoms.

• Option D:

The given chemical equation follows:

$2H_2+2O_2\rightarrow 2H_2O$

There are 4 hydrogen atoms and 4 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on product side.

So, this equation does not show conservation of atoms.

Hence, the equation showing conservation of atoms is $2H_2+O_2\rightarrow H_2O$