Question

consider the chemical equation: 2h2 + o2 → 2h2o. which statement about this equation is correct? the equation is balanced because there are 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on both sides. the equation is not balanced because there are more hydrogen atoms on the product side. the equation is not balanced because there are more oxygen atoms on the reactant side. the equation is not balanced because the number of molecules is different on each side.

Explanation:

Step1: Count hydrogen atoms on reactant side

On the reactant side of the equation $2H_2 + O_2
ightarrow2H_2O$, for $H_2$, since there are 2 molecules of $H_2$, the number of hydrogen atoms is $2\times2 = 4$.

Step2: Count oxygen atoms on reactant side

There is 1 molecule of $O_2$ on the reactant side, so the number of oxygen atoms is 2.

Step3: Count hydrogen and oxygen atoms on product side

On the product side, for $H_2O$, since there are 2 molecules of $H_2O$, the number of hydrogen atoms is $2\times2=4$ and the number of oxygen atoms is 2.

Step4: Analyze balance

Since the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms is the same on both the reactant and product sides, the equation is balanced.

Answer:

The equation is balanced because there are 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms on both sides.