Sure! Let's analyze the chemical equations to determine if they are balanced, following the Law of Conservation of Mass. The Law of Conservation of Mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. This means that the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation.
### Equation a:
[tex]\[ \text{NaCl} + \text{F}_2 \rightarrow \text{NaF} + \text{Cl}_2 \][/tex]
Let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:
Reactants:
- Sodium (Na): 1 atom (from NaCl)
- Chlorine (Cl): 1 atom (from NaCl)
- Fluorine (F): 2 atoms (from F₂)
Products:
- Sodium (Na): 1 atom (from NaF)
- Chlorine (Cl): 2 atoms (from Cl₂)
- Fluorine (F): 1 atom (from NaF)
Now compare the number of atoms for each element:
- Sodium: 1 atom on both sides.
- Chlorine: 1 atom (Reactants) vs. 2 atoms (Products) - Not balanced!
- Fluorine: 2 atoms (Reactants) vs. 1 atom (Products) - Not balanced!
Since the number of Chlorine and Fluorine atoms are not the same on both sides, equation a is not balanced.
### Equation b:
[tex]\[ 2\text{Mg} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{MgO} \][/tex]
Let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:
Reactants:
- Magnesium (Mg): 2 atoms (from 2Mg)
- Oxygen (O): 2 atoms (from O₂)
Products:
- Magnesium (Mg): 2 atoms (from 2MgO)
- Oxygen (O): 2 atoms (from 2MgO)
Now compare the number of atoms for each element:
- Magnesium: 2 atoms on both sides.
- Oxygen: 2 atoms on both sides.
Since the number of magnesium and oxygen atoms are the same on both sides, equation b is balanced.
### Summary
- Equation a: Not balanced
- Equation b: Balanced
Equation a does not follow the Law of Conservation of Mass. Equation b follows the Law of Conservation of Mass.
