Balanced Chemical Equations for Acid Reactions

Steps:

• Examine atom balance (C, H, O, metals) in each equation for reactants and products.
• Equation 1: Left (C₂H₄O₂ + Mg) has 2C, 4H, 2O, 1Mg; right (C₂H₃O₂Mg + CO₂ + H₂O) has 3C, 4H, 5O, 1Mg—imbalanced C and O.
• Equation 2: Left (C₂H₄O₂ + Na) has 2C, 4H, 2O, 1Na; right (C₂H₃O₂Na + ½H₂) has 2C, 4H (3+1), 2O, 1Na—balanced.
• Equation 3: Left (C₂H₄O₂ + 2Ba(OH)₂) has 2C, 8H, 6O, 2Ba; right ((CH₃COO)₂Ba + 2H₂O) has 4C, 10H, 6O, 1Ba—imbalanced C, H, Ba.

Why C is correct:

• Option C identifies only equation 2 as balanced, per the law of conservation of mass requiring equal atoms on both sides.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Includes unbalanced equations 1 and 3.
• B: Includes unbalanced equation 1.
• D: Equation 3 has mismatched stoichiometry.

Final answer: C