Question

lets focus in on one segment of the balanced chemical reaction below: p₄o₁₀ + 6 h₂o → 4 h₃po₄ take a look at the term \4 h₃po₄.\ remember that 4 is a coefficient in this term. which of the following are true about this part of the equation? there are 4 oxygen atoms on this side of the equation. there are 2 phosphorus atoms on this side of the equation. there are twice as many oxygen atoms as there are phosphorus atoms. there are 12 hydrogen atoms in this term. 4 is a coefficient that describes the ratio of this molecule to others in the equation. there are 16 oxygen atoms represented by this term.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the number of atoms for each element in \(4H_3PO_4\)

• Hydrogen (\(H\)):
• In one \(H_3PO_4\) molecule, there are 3 \(H\) atoms.
• With a coefficient of 4, the total number of \(H\) atoms is \(4\times3 = 12\).
• Phosphorus (\(P\)):
• In one \(H_3PO_4\) molecule, there is 1 \(P\) atom.
• With a coefficient of 4, the total number of \(P\) atoms is \(4\times1 = 4\).
• Oxygen (\(O\)):
• In one \(H_3PO_4\) molecule, there are 4 \(O\) atoms.
• With a coefficient of 4, the total number of \(O\) atoms is \(4\times4 = 16\).

Step2: Analyze each option

• Option 1:
• We calculated 16 \(O\) atoms (not 4), so this option is false.
• Option 2:
• We calculated 4 \(P\) atoms (not 2), so this option is false.
• Option 3:
• Ratio of \(O\) to \(P\) atoms is \(\frac{16}{4}=4\) (not 2), so this option is false.
• Option 4:
• As calculated in Step 1, there are 12 \(H\) atoms, so this option is true.
• Option 5:
• In a balanced chemical equation, coefficients describe the ratio of molecules. So, 4 (for \(H_3PO_4\)) describes its ratio to other molecules (\(P_4O_{10}\) and \(H_2O\)), and this option is true.
• Option 6:
• As calculated in Step 1, there are 16 \(O\) atoms, so this option is true.

Answer:

D. There are 12 hydrogen atoms in this term.
E. 4 is a coefficient that describes the ratio of this molecule to others in the equation.
F. There are 16 oxygen atoms represented by this term.