Question

Robin and Alex are discussing how water molecules form when hydrogen and oxygen atoms combine. Robin writes the following chemical equation to explain the formation of water.



However, Alex has a different opinion and suggests that the chemical reaction can be better represented by using the equation below.



Why does Alex’s equation better represent the reaction?
A.
The amount of product formed should be more than the amount of reactants involved.
B.
For every two molecules of water formed, two hydrogen atoms are needed.
C.
The number of oxygen atoms is the same before and after the reaction.
D.
For every two molecules of water formed, one hydrogen atom is needed.

Answer 1

Answer:

For every two molecules of water formed, two hydrogen atoms are needed.

Explanation:

Chemical reactions occur when two or more atoms bond together to form molecules or when bonded atoms are broken apart. The substances used in the beginning of a chemical reaction are called the reactants (usually found on the left side of a chemical equation), and the substances found at the end of the reaction are known as the products (usually found on the right side of a chemical equation). An arrow is typically drawn between the reactants and products to indicate the direction of the chemical reaction; this direction is not always a “one-way street.” For the creation of the water molecule shown above, the chemical equation would be:

2H + O → H2O