How would you balance H2 + O2 = H2O?

Question

Wyatt Adkins · Accepted Answer

2H2 + O2 = 2H2O

Olivia Anton · Answer

#2H_2 + O_2 = 2H_2O#

You must first write each component of the original equation separately.

#H_2 + O_2 = H_2O#

Right side: H = 2 ; O = 1 (number based on the subscripts; no subscript indicates that the element is just 1) Left side: H = 2; O = 2 (number based on the subscripts)

As you can see, the number of O is not balanced yet, even though the number of H is. To correct this, you must multiply the element by 2, and you CANNOT do this by just changing the subscript.

Therefore,

#H_2 + O_2 = 2H_2O#

The left side shows H = 2; the right side shows H = 2 x 2 = 4; the right side shows O = 1 x 2 = 2.

Now, notice that the number of O is now balance (both are 2) but the number of H is not (since #H_2O# is a substance and not an element, you need to multiply everything by 2). So, what to do?

Additionally, you multiply H on the left by 2. Therefore,

#2H_2 + O_2 = 2H_2O#

The left side shows H = 2 x 2 = 4 and the right side shows H = 2 x 2 = 4 and O = 1 x 2 = 2.

Right now, the equation is balanced.

HIX Tutor · Answer

undefined To balance the equation H2 + O2 = H2O, follow these steps:

1. **Write the Equation**: Start with the equation:  
   H2 + O2 = H2O

2. **Count Atoms**:  
   - On the left side:  
      - H (Hydrogen): 2  
      - O (Oxygen): 2  
   - On the right side:  
      - H: 2  
      - O: 1

3. **Balance Oxygen**:  
   - You have 2 O on the left but only 1 O on the right.  
   - To balance O, put a 2 in front of H2O:  
     H2 + O2 = 2 H2O

4. **Count Again**:  
   - Now, count again:  
   - On the right side:  
      - H: 4 (because 2 H2O means 2 × 2)  
      - O: 2

5. **Balance Hydrogen**:  
   - You have 4 H on the right.  
   - So, put a 2 in front of H2 on the left:  
     2 H2 + O2 = 2 H2O

6. **Final Count**:  
   - Now, check the count again:  
   - Left: 4 H, 2 O  
   - Right: 4 H, 2 O

7. **Balanced Equation**:  
   - The balanced equation is:  
     2 H2 + O2 = 2 H2O

You did it!

Caleb Adams · Answer

undefined The balanced equation for the reaction $ \text{H}_2 + \text{O}_2 = \text{H}_2\text{O} $ is:

$$ 2\text{H}_2 + \text{O}_2 = 2\text{H}_2\text{O} $$