Explain why the number of moelcules is not conserved in a balanced chemical equation. In other words, why isn't the total number of reactant molecules equal to the total number of product molecules for the reaction in this probelem below.
What volume of HF gas (in liters) will be needed to make this amount of product? You may assume that it is conditions of STP.
2007-01-18 18:18:48 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
In a chemical reaction the main idea is that intramolecular bonds (that bond the atoms together to form a molecule) are braking and/or reforming. It might happen that from two different molecules another two will form, but but that is only a minor part of the reactions, mostly there are or less or more products. the number of atoms must stay the same: its like lego, you construct different buildings of the same blocks, but you need all the blocks be present in one way or the other. The law you must have had in mind was or the conservation of mass, or the conservation of energy( i vote on the first one, that means if you start from ex. 15 grams of reactants you cannot reach to more or less, but 15; dont forget you always have to have all the reactants and all the products in both sides to balance the reaction, dont forget gases, etc.) . these two laws together with the logical idea that atoms dont vanish (of the main idea that they cant brake up chemically) give you out a balanced, every way right reaction.
The problem with HF cant be seen... try once more.
2007-01-18 18:38:56 · answer #1 · answered by mokuska 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The number of molecules can change in a balanced equation.
What does not change is the number of each atom in the two sides:
Example
Mg + Cl2 ---> Mg Cl2
there are two molecules on the left 1Mg + 1 Cl2 and only 1 in the right
But the number of atoms of each kind are the same
1 Mg and 2 Cl
2007-01-18 18:33:09 · answer #2 · answered by maussy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
see in any chemical reaction what is being conserved in mass n no. atoms.
we don't go for balancing no. of molecules 'coz its dependent on various formations of atoms.
thus molecules are equal on both sides but atoms are.
have fun asking!!!!!!!!!!
2007-01-18 18:35:17 · answer #3 · answered by Arjun V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting.
2016-05-24 06:08:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋