To determine the correct balanced equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the chemical equation.
Let's analyze each choice:
Option A: [tex]\( NH_3 + 2 O_2 \rightarrow NO + 6 H_2O \)[/tex]
- Left side: [tex]\( 1 \, \text{N}, 3 \, \text{H}, 4 \, \text{O} \)[/tex]
- Right side: [tex]\( 1 \, \text{N}, 12 \, \text{H}, 6 \, \text{O} \)[/tex]
This option is not balanced because the number of hydrogen atoms on the left side does not match the right side.
Option B: [tex]\( 4 NH_3 + 5 O_2 \rightarrow 4 NO + H_2O \)[/tex]
- Left side: [tex]\( 4 \, \text{N}, 12 \, \text{H}, 10 \, \text{O} \)[/tex]
- Right side: [tex]\( 4 \, \text{N}, 2 \, \text{H}, 1 \, \text{O} \)[/tex]
This option is not balanced because the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the left side does not match the right side.
Option C: [tex]\( 4 NH_3 + 5 O_2 \rightarrow 4 NO + 6 H_2O \)[/tex]
- Left side: [tex]\( 4 \, \text{N}, 12 \, \text{H}, 10 \, \text{O} \)[/tex]
- Right side: [tex]\( 4 \, \text{N}, 12 \, \text{H}, 10 \, \text{O} \)[/tex]
This option is balanced because the number of nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms are the same on both sides of the equation.
Option D: [tex]\( NH_3 + 5 O_2 \rightarrow NO + 6 H_2O \)[/tex]
- Left side: [tex]\( 1 \, \text{N}, 3 \, \text{H}, 10 \, \text{O} \)[/tex]
- Right side: [tex]\( 1 \, \text{N}, 12 \, \text{H}, 6 \, \text{O} \)[/tex]
This option is not balanced because the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the left side does not match the right side.
Thus, Option C is the correct balanced equation:
[tex]\[4 NH_3 + 5 O_2 \rightarrow 4 NO + 6 H_2O\][/tex]
