Question

Write a balanced chemical equation based on the following description: Solid silicon dioxide reacts with solid carbon to produce solid silicon and carbon monoxide gas.

a) SiO₂(s) + C(s) → Si(s) + CO₂(g)
b) 2SiO₂(s) + C(s) → 2Si(s) + CO(g)
c) SiO₂(s) + 2C(s) → Si(s) + 2CO(g)
d) 2SiO₂(s) + 2C(s) → 2Si(s) + 2CO(g)

Answer 1

The correct chemical equation for the reaction of solid silicon dioxide with solid carbon to form solid silicon and carbon monoxide gas is option c) SiO₂(s) + 2C(s) → Si(s) + 2CO(g).

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct balanced chemical equation for the reaction where solid silicon dioxide reacts with solid carbon to produce solid silicon and carbon monoxide gas is as follows: SiO₂(s) + C(s) → Si(s) + 2CO(g). This reaction shows that one mole of silicon dioxide reacts with one mole of carbon to produce one mole of silicon and two moles of carbon monoxide. Looking at the choices given, we can see that option c) SiO₂(s) + 2C(s) → Si(s) + 2CO(g) is the right answer. We must ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, hence we need two atoms of carbon in the form of carbon monoxide on the products side to balance the carbon atoms with the reactants side.