Question

The amount of oxygen in the reactants is 4 atoms. In the products, the oxygen is distributed to water (H2O) and O2 gas. Which coefficients would be placed in front of water and oxygen?

2 in front of water and 2 in front of oxygen
1 in front of water and 2 in front of oxygen
1 in front of water and 1 in front of oxygen
2 in front of water and 1 in front of oxygen

Answer 1

To find the correct coefficients for water (H2O) and oxygen (O2) that would result in 4 oxygen atoms in the products, we need to analyze the contributions of oxygen from both substances.

1. Each molecule of water (H2O) contains 1 oxygen atom.
2. Each molecule of oxygen gas (O2) contains 2 oxygen atoms.

Let's analyze each option:

1. **2 in front of water and 2 in front of oxygen**:
- Water: 2 H2O = 2 oxygen atoms
- Oxygen: 2 O2 = 4 oxygen atoms
- Total = 2 + 4 = 6 oxygen atoms (too many)

2. **1 in front of water and 2 in front of oxygen**:
- Water: 1 H2O = 1 oxygen atom
- Oxygen: 2 O2 = 4 oxygen atoms
- Total = 1 + 4 = 5 oxygen atoms (too many)

3. **1 in front of water and 1 in front of oxygen**:
- Water: 1 H2O = 1 oxygen atom
- Oxygen: 1 O2 = 2 oxygen atoms
- Total = 1 + 2 = 3 oxygen atoms (too few)

4. **2 in front of water and 1 in front of oxygen**:
- Water: 2 H2O = 2 oxygen atoms
- Oxygen: 1 O2 = 2 oxygen atoms
- Total = 2 + 2 = 4 oxygen atoms (just right)

The correct answer is: **2 in front of water and 1 in front of oxygen.**