Question

consider the equation: h2 + o2 → h2o. why is this equation not balanced? * 1 point
the equation is balanced because the number of molecules is the same on both sides.
the equation is not balanced because there are 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and only 1 on the product side.
the equation is balanced because the number of hydrogen atoms is the same on both sides.
the equation is not balanced because there are more hydrogen atoms on the product side.

Explanation:

In a balanced chemical - equation, the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side must equal the number of atoms of the same element on the product side. In the equation H2 + O2 → H2O, on the reactant side, there are 2 oxygen atoms (from O2), while on the product side, there is only 1 oxygen atom (in H2O).

Answer:

The equation is not balanced because there are 2 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and only 1 on the product side.