The diagram below shows the reaction between iron oxide and carbon that produces iron and carbon dioxide. the reaction takes place in a closed system. what is true about the carbon atoms in the reaction?
a. the total mass of the carbon atoms is the same as the total mass of the oxygen atoms.
b. the mass of carbon atoms in the reactants is the same as the mass of carbon atoms in the products.
c. the mass of the carbon atoms increases between the reactants and the products of the reaction.
d. the total mass of the carbon atoms is the same as the total mass of the iron atoms.

B = The mass of carbon atoms in the reactant is same as the mass of carbon atoms in product.

Explanation:

The haematite ore of iron consist of iron in the form of iron(ii) oxide. In order to obtain the iron oxygen must be removed that left the iron behind. The oxygen is removed through the reduction reaction.

The carbon is more reactive than the iron so displacement reaction is occur. The iron is replaced by the carbon.

Chemical reaction:

Fe₂O₃(s) + C(s) → Fe(l) + CO₂(g)

Balanced chemical equation:

2Fe₂O₃(s) + 3C(s) → 4Fe(l) + 3CO₂(g)

The oxidation state of iron is decreased and it form neutral iron so it get reduced while the oxidation state of carbon is increased so it get oxidized.

we can see that the number of each atoms are same at both side of equation. The number of carbon atom in reactant side are three and also in the product side three carbon atoms are present so for the given question the statement B is true. which is,

The mass of carbon atoms in the reactant is same as the mass of carbon atoms in product.