8 of 10 Next A lab group reacts sodium oxide \( \left(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right) \) with hydrochloric acid \( (\mathrm{HCl}) \) to produce sodium chloride \( (\mathrm{NaCl}) \) and water \( \left(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right) \). When writing their lab repor they came up with the following equation to represent the reaction: \[ \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{HCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{NaCl}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \] Does this equation satisfy the Law of Conservation of Matter? Why or why not? A Yes, since there are 5 reactant atoms and 5 product atoms. B Yes, since there is a subscript of 2 on both sides on the equation. C No, since there are two sodium atoms as reactants, but only one sodium atom as a product. D No, since there is a liquid and a solid as reactants, but a gas and a solid as a product.

**Answer:** **C No, since there are two sodium atoms as reactants, but only one sodium atom as a product.** **Explanation:** To determine if the equation satisfies the Law of Conservation of Matter, we need to ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the reaction. **Given Reaction:** \[ \mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{O} + \mathrm{HCl} \rightarrow \mathrm{NaCl} + \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \] **Counting Atoms:** - **Reactants:** - **Na (Sodium):** 2 (from \(\mathrm{Na}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)) - **O (Oxygen):** 1 (from \(\mathrm{Na}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)) - **H (Hydrogen):** 1 (from \(\mathrm{HCl}\)) - **Cl (Chlorine):** 1 (from \(\mathrm{HCl}\)) - **Products:** - **Na (Sodium):** 1 (from \(\mathrm{NaCl}\)) - **Cl (Chlorine):** 1 (from \(\mathrm{NaCl}\)) - **H (Hydrogen):** 2 (from \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)) - **O (Oxygen):** 1 (from \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)) **Analysis:** - **Sodium (Na):** 2 on the reactant side vs. 1 on the product side. - **Hydrogen (H):** 1 on the reactant side vs. 2 on the product side. Since the number of sodium and hydrogen atoms does not balance between the reactants and products, the equation violates the Law of Conservation of Matter, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. **Correcting the Equation:** To balance the equation, adjust the coefficients so that the number of each type of atom is equal on both sides. \[ \mathrm{Na}_{2}\mathrm{O} + 2\mathrm{HCl} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{NaCl} + \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \] Now, the atom count is: - **Reactants:** 2 Na, 2 H, 2 Cl, 1 O - **Products:** 2 Na, 2 H, 2 Cl, 1 O This balanced equation satisfies the Law of Conservation of Matter. **Final Answer:** **C No, since there are two sodium atoms as reactants, but only one sodium atom as a product.**