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Multiple Choice
What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between salicylic acid (C7H6O3) and acetic anhydride (C4H6O3) to form aspirin (C9H8O4) and acetic acid (C2H4O2)?
A
2 C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 → 2 C9H8O4 + C2H4O2
B
C7H6O3 + 2 C4H6O3 → C9H8O4 + 2 C2H4O2
C
C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 → C9H8O4 + C2H4O2
D
C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 → C9H8O4 + H2O
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction. The reactants are salicylic acid (C7H6O3) and acetic anhydride (C4H6O3), and the products are aspirin (C9H8O4) and acetic acid (C2H4O2).
Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formulas of the reactants and products: C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 → C9H8O4 + C2H4O2.
Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation to ensure they are equal. This involves checking carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms.
Adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products to balance the equation. Start by balancing the more complex molecules first, such as C9H8O4, and then balance the simpler molecules like C2H4O2.
Verify the balanced equation by recounting the atoms of each element on both sides to ensure they match. The balanced equation should reflect the conservation of mass, where the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides.