Question

What is the correct chemical equation for the combustion of charcoal (carbon) in the presence of oxygen?

• A. $C\left(g\right)+O_2\left(g\right)\to {\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(g\right)$
• B. $C\left(s\right)+O_2\left(g\right)\to {\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(g\right)$
• C. $C\left(s\right)+2O\left(g\right)\to {\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(g\right)$
• D. $C\left(g\right)+2O\left(g\right)\to {\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(g\right)$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $C\left(s\right)+O_2\left(g\right)\to {\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(g\right)$

To represent a chemical reaction, a chemical equation is written with the reactants on the left hand side and the products on the right hand side of an arrow, going from left to right.
A + B → C
In the given reaction, reactants are charcoal, a solid and oxygen, a gas; which form carbon dioxide gas as the product. The chemical equation can be written as:
$C\left(s\right)+O_2\left(g\right)\to {\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(g\right)$