Can we write mass in coefficients of elements in a chemical equation

[SHASHWAT PRATAP SING]

let's take a chemical equation - CH4+2O2 ------> CO2+2H2O
From Reactant side- the coefficient of CH4 is 1 and the coefficient of O2 is 2
From Product side - the coefficient of CO2 is 1 and the coefficient of H2O is 2
we can write this chemical equation in terms of molecules,atoms,moles.
Can we write this chemical equation in terms of mass as-
16g of CH4 reacts with 2✕ 32g of O2 to give 44g of CO2 and 2✕18g of H2O.
So, can we write this chemical equation as- 16gCH4 + 64gO2 ------> 44gCO2 + 36gH2O
Please Help Me...

 

[chemisttree]

let's take a chemical equation - CH4+2O2 ------> CO2+2H2O
From Reactant side- the coefficient of CH4 is 1 and the coefficient of O2 is 2
From Product side - the coefficient of CO2 is 1 and the coefficient of H2O is 2
we can write this chemical equation in terms of molecules,atoms,moles.
Can we write this chemical equation in terms of mass as-
16g of CH4 reacts with 2✕ 32g of O2 to give 44g of CO2 and 2✕18g of H2O.
So, can we write this chemical equation as- 16gCH4 + 64gO2 ------> 44gCO2 + 36gH2O
Please Help Me...

Yes.

 

[Borek]

Yes, that's one of a correct ways of expressing mass conservation.

However, there is no way to balance such equation. When you write

CH₄ + 2O₂ -> CO₂ + 2H₂O

you can easily check, that no atoms were created nor destroyed in the process. As we know masses of atoms (and/or moles) that in turn defines the ratio of amounts of reactants and products. When the equation is written using masses alone you can't check if the ratio is correct.

 

[SHASHWAT PRATAP SING]

However, there is no way to balance such equation. When you write

If there is no way to balance such equation.
Would this chemical equation be correct -
16gCH4 + 64gO2 ------> 44gCO2 + 36gH2O

 

[Borek]

It is OK as written, but there is no way to prove it without thinking in terms of atoms and moles.

It is easy to check that

CH₄ + 2O₂ -> CO₂ + 2H₂O

is OK - atoms (and charges, even if they are not listed) are conserved. Just count them on both sides of the equation.

It is also easy to show that

CH₄ + 2O₂ -> CO₂ + H₂O

is incorrect - there are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom missing on the right.

But you can't tell whether

10 g CH₄ + 33 g O₂ -> 32 g CO₂ + 11 g H₂O

is OK or not, unless you do calculations using moles and molar masses.