Question

phosphoryl chloride (pocl₃) is used to manufacture flame - retardant chemicals. it is produced when phosphorus trichloride (pcl₃) reacts with oxygen gas (o₂).
which model accurately represents this reaction?
o p cl

Explanation:

Step1: Write the unbalanced chemical equation

The reaction is \(PCl_{3}+O_{2}\to POCl_{3}\).

Step2: Balance the chemical equation

Count the atoms of each element on both sides.

• For \(P\): 1 on the left and 1 on the right (initially balanced).
• For \(Cl\): 3 on the left and 3 on the right (initially balanced).
• For \(O\): 2 on the left (\(O_{2}\)) and 1 on the right (\(POCl_{3}\)).

Multiply \(PCl_{3}\) by 2 and \(POCl_{3}\) by 2. The balanced equation is \(2PCl_{3}+O_{2}\to 2POCl_{3}\).

Step3: Analyze the models

• In the first model: The number of reactant \(PCl_{3}\) molecules is 2, \(O_{2}\) molecule is 1, and product \(POCl_{3}\) molecule is 1. This does not follow the balanced equation \(2PCl_{3}+O_{2}\to 2POCl_{3}\).
• In the second model: The number of reactant \(PCl_{3}\) molecules is 2, \(O_{2}\) molecule is 1, and product \(POCl_{3}\) molecules are 2. This follows the balanced equation \(2PCl_{3}+O_{2}\to 2POCl_{3}\).

Answer:

The second model.