Question

which of the following is a possible way to describe the hcl component in the reaction below? h₂(g) + cl₂(g) → 2hcl(g) 2 molecules hcl 4 atoms hcl 2 atoms hcl 3 formula units hcl

Explanation:

• In the chemical formula \(HCl\), each molecule contains 1 hydrogen atom and 1 chlorine atom.
• The coefficient in the balanced chemical equation \(H_2(g)+Cl_2(g)\to2HCl(g)\) indicates the number of molecules. Here, the coefficient of \(HCl\) is 2, so there are 2 molecules of \(HCl\).
• For atoms: Each \(HCl\) molecule has 2 atoms (\(1\ H + 1\ Cl\)). So for 2 \(HCl\) molecules, the number of atoms is \(2\times2 = 4\) atoms (but the question asks about describing the \(HCl\) component. The coefficient directly refers to the number of molecules in the context of the chemical equation representation).
• Formula units are used for ionic compounds. \(HCl\) is a covalent compound (exists as molecules in the gas phase as shown in the equation \(H_2(g)+Cl_2(g)\to2HCl(g)\)).

Answer:

2 molecules \(HCl\)