Question

1. look at the following equation.

au₂o₃→au+__o₂
in order to follow the law of conservation of mass, this equation must have which set of
coefficients, in order from left to right?

Explanation:

Step1: Balance oxygen atoms

Let the coefficients of \(Au_2O_3\), \(Au\), and \(O_2\) be \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) respectively. The equation is \(xAu_2O_3
ightarrow yAu + zO_2\).
For oxygen: \(3x = 2z\). To get whole - number coefficients, we can start by making \(x = 2\) (since we want to eliminate the fraction. If \(x = 2\), then \(3\times2=2z\), so \(z = 3\)).

Step2: Balance gold atoms

For gold: If \(x = 2\), then the number of gold atoms on the left - hand side is \(2\times2=4\). So \(y = 4\) (because the number of gold atoms on the right - hand side must equal the number on the left - hand side).

Answer:

\(2,4,3\)