Examine the following unbalanced chemical equation:

CO(little2) + C --> CO

Which of the following is the correctly balanced form of this equation?

2CO(little2) + C --> CO
CO(little2) + C -->2CO
CO(little2) + C(little2) --> CO
CO(little2) + C -->C(little2)O

thanks for any help ...

There are two C, two O on the left. 2CO means 2C, 2O.

so would it be 1, 2, 3, or 4 from my initial question with the top being 1 and the bottom being 4

It is very tacky to mooch answers, without thinking. Goodness. Didn't my response directly tell you it was the second answer?

sorry i'm not trying to mooch answers, i just don't understand chem...

No problem! I can help you understand the process of balancing chemical equations. Balancing chemical equations is the process of adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Let's examine the unbalanced chemical equation you provided:

CO(little2) + C --> CO

On the left side of the arrow, we have 1 carbon (C) atom and 2 oxygen (O) atoms. On the right side, we have 1 carbon (C) atom and 1 oxygen (O) atom. This means the equation is unbalanced because the number of atoms for each element is not the same on both sides.

Now, let's analyze the answer choices:

1. 2CO(little2) + C --> CO

This choice has the correct number of carbon (C) atoms on both sides, but it still doesn't balance the oxygen (O) atoms. We need to have 2 oxygen (O) atoms on the right side as well.

2. CO(little2) + C --> 2CO

This is the correct balanced form of the equation. It has 1 carbon (C) atom and 2 oxygen (O) atoms on both sides. This choice satisfies the law of conservation of mass.

3. CO(little2) + C(little2) --> CO

This choice introduces an extra carbon (C) atom on the right side, which makes it unbalanced.

4. CO(little2) + C --> C(little2)O

This choice adds an extra oxygen (O) atom on the right side, which makes it unbalanced.

Therefore, the correct balanced form of the equation is:

CO(little2) + C --> 2CO