To determine why the chemical equation
[tex]\[
AgBr ( s ) \rightarrow Ag ( s )+ Br_2 ( g )
\][/tex]
is not balanced, we need to consider the principles of chemical reactions and equation balancing.
Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the same number of each type of atom appears on both sides of the equation. Let's examine the given options to identify the correct reasoning.
Option A: There are more substances on the right side of the equation than on the left side.
- This is not a valid criterion for equation balancing. The number of substances is not as important as the count of each type of atom.
Option B: There is a gas on the right side of the equation but not on the left side.
- The state of the matter (solid, liquid, gas) does not impact the balancing of atoms in a chemical equation.
Option C: The bromine atoms must go through a liquid state before becoming a gas.
- This statement is about the phase transition of the substance, which is not related to the balancing of the chemical equation.
Option D: There is more mass represented on the right side of the equation than on the left side.
- According to the Law of Conservation of Mass, mass must be conserved in a chemical reaction, so this could imply the equation is unbalanced. However, it’s more accurate to focus directly on the atom counts.
Option E: The bromine atoms on the right side of the equation are not bonded to another element.
- This addresses the atomic and molecular structure directly. Bromine in [tex]\( Br_2(g) \)[/tex] is not bonded to silver, indicating a change in bonding that must be accounted for correctly.
Upon review, Option E is the most precisely aligned with the concept of balancing chemical equations. The atoms must be appropriately counted and balanced by ensuring their correct molecular forms on both sides of the reaction. Thus, the correct answer is:
E. The bromine atoms on the right side of the equation are not bonded to another element.
