According to the law of conservation of matter, which chemical equation represents a possible chemical reaction? A. C + 2H2 CH4 B. 2H2 + O2 NH3 C. 2Al2O3 2Na2O D. N2 + 3H2 P4O10

The answer to your question is: A.

Explanation:

A. C + 2H₂ ⇒ CH₄ This is the right answer because the equation is balanced and is according to the law of conservation of matter.

B. 2H₂ + O₂ ⇒ NH₃ This option is wrong because in the reactants there is oxygen and it is not in the products.

C. 2Al₂O₃ ⇒ 2Na₂O This equation is not according to the law of conservation of matter, in the reactants there is aluminum and it is not in the products.

D. N₂ + 3H₂ ⇒ P₄O₁₀ This equation is not according to the law of conservation of matter.

One of the options (option C) appears incomplete. But the correct option is A.

Explanation:

The law of conservation of matter states that in an isolated system, matter can neither be created nor destroyed.

If we are to analyze each of the reactions provided in the options based on this law, it will be concluded that option A is the correct answer (as shown below).

A.

C + 2H₂ ⇒ CH₄

It can be deduced from this equation that there is no new matter formed in the product; we have one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms both sides (reactant and product sides). Hence, this reaction follows the law of conservation of matter.

B.

2H₂ + O₂ ⇒ NH₃

In the equation above, one atom of nitrogen (in ammonia, NH₃) is been formed as there was no nitrogen in the reactant. Also, two atoms of oxygen and one atom hydrogen is been destroyed since they were not found in the product. It can deduced that this reaction violates the law of conservation of matter.

C.

2Al₂O₃ + 2Na₂O ⇒

This option is incomplete

D.

N₂ + 3H₂ ⇒ P₄O₁₀

From the equation above, phosphorus and oxygen have been created in the product while nitrogen and hydrogen have been destroyed as they were not in the product. Hence, this reaction violates the law of conservation of matter.