Practice question · Multiple choice
A chemical equation, a particle diagram and a molar calculation describe the same reaction. Why is the particle diagram the one that catches balancing errors?
Hints
- Ask what conservation law balancing enforces.
- Which representation makes an atom appearing from nowhere visible?
Show the answer
D. Because it shows individual atoms being created or destroyed
Why
Balancing is conservation of atoms, and only one representation shows atoms. This is why particle diagrams are used to teach it before the symbolic shorthand takes over.
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