Question

what needs to be done in order to balance the equation?
place a 2 in front of the ca and the cao.
place a 2 in front of the o₂ and the cao.
place a 2 in front of the cao only.
place a 2 only in front of the ca.

Explanation:

Step1: Write the unbalanced equation

The unbalanced equation is \(Ca + O_2
ightarrow CaO\).

Step2: Count the number of atoms

• For \(Ca\): 1 atom on the left and 1 atom on the right.
• For \(O\): 2 atoms on the left (\(O_2\)) and 1 atom on the right (\(CaO\)).

Step3: Balance the oxygen atoms

To balance the oxygen atoms, we need 2 \(CaO\) molecules. So the equation becomes \(Ca+O_2
ightarrow 2CaO\).

Step4: Balance the calcium atoms

Now, we have 2 \(Ca\) atoms on the right. So we put a 2 in front of \(Ca\) on the left. The balanced equation is \(2Ca + O_2=2CaO\).

Answer:

Place a 2 in front of the \(Ca\) and the \(CaO\).