In the following chemical equation, a coefficient of_______must go in front of H20 in order to balance this unbalanced chemical equation: H2 + 02-> H20 a. 1 b. 2 c. 5 d.3

Answer 1

H2 + O2 = H2O

2H2 + O2 = 2H2O

4 H's on the left side, 4 on the right side

2O's on the left side, 2 on the right side

coefficients are 2, 1 2

b is correct: 2 for 2H20

Answer 2

In the molecule H₂O there are two hydrogen atoms for each oxygen atom.

On the left side of the equilibrium equation, we have two oxygen atoms in the form of a molecule (O₂). Since we have two oxygen atoms, we will have a minimum of two H₂O molecules, but there could be more depending on what else is on the left side.

Two H₂O molecules contain four hydrogens and two oxygens. On the left side, we have an H₂ molecule, which gives us two hydrogen atoms. If we have two H₂ molecules then we will have enough to make two H₂O molecules.

The final balanced equation is:

2 H₂ + O₂ ==> 2 H₂O