Question

determine whether the following equation is balanced- 4 p + 2 o₅ → 2 p₂o₅
the equation is not balanced because there are more oxygen atoms in the reactants than the products.
the equation is not balanced because there are more phosphorus atoms in the products than the reactants.
the equation is not balanced because there are ten atoms of oxygen in the products and reactants.
the equation is balanced.

Explanation:

Step1: Count phosphorus atoms on reactant side

There are 4 P atoms on the left - hand side (reactants) as given by the coefficient 4 in front of P.

Step2: Count phosphorus atoms on product side

In $2P_2O_5$, the number of P atoms is $2\times2 = 4$ (since each $P_2O_5$ has 2 P atoms and there are 2 molecules of $P_2O_5$).

Step3: Count oxygen atoms on reactant side

In $2O_5$, the number of O atoms is $2\times5=10$ (as each $O_5$ has 5 O atoms and there are 2 molecules of $O_5$).

Step4: Count oxygen atoms on product side

In $2P_2O_5$, the number of O atoms is $2\times5 = 10$ (since each $P_2O_5$ has 5 O atoms and there are 2 molecules of $P_2O_5$).

Answer:

The equation is balanced.