In the equation

2H2+1O2→→2H2O

if you change the 2H2 to 3H2 molecules and balance the equation, identify which statement is correct?

(1 point)
Responses

It is not possible to produce water without leftover molecules.
It is not possible to produce water without leftover molecules.

The result of the equation will be the same.
The result of the equation will be the same.

The equation will produce three molecules of water.
The equation will produce three molecules of water.

Each oxygen molecule will combine with 2 hydrogen molecules with no leftover molecules.
Each oxygen molecule will combine with 2 hydrogen molecules with no leftover molecules.

1 answer

To balance the new equation where we start with 3 \( H_2 \) molecules instead of 2, we rewrite the equation as follows:

\[ 3H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow ? H_2O \]

In this case, each water molecule (\( H_2O \)) contains 2 hydrogen atoms. Therefore, if we have 3 \( H_2 \) molecules, that gives us a total of 6 hydrogen atoms. To produce water, we would need:

\[ \text{Number of } H_2O = \frac{6 \text{ hydrogen atoms}}{2 \text{ per } H_2O} = 3 \text{ molecules of } H_2O \]

Next, we need to balance the equation completely. Since there are 3 \( H_2O \) produced, we also need to account for the oxygen. Each \( H_2O \) molecule contains 1 oxygen atom, so:

\[ 3H_2 + \frac{3}{2}O_2 \rightarrow 3H_2O \]

However, we prefer not to use fractions, so we can multiply everything by 2 to get whole numbers:

\[ 6H_2 + 3O_2 \rightarrow 6H_2O \]

Now, if we consider the original statements you provided, we can determine which one is correct based on this balanced equation.

The key points from the balanced equation are:

  • 6 hydrogen atoms combine with 3 oxygen atoms to produce 6 water molecules.
  • There are no leftover molecules.

Here are the provided statements assessed:

  1. It is not possible to produce water without leftover molecules. - This is incorrect; we can produce water without leftover molecules.

  2. The result of the equation will be the same. - This is misleading; while water is produced, the specifics (number of molecules) change.

  3. The equation will produce three molecules of water. - This is incorrect; it produces six molecules of water.

  4. Each oxygen molecule will combine with 2 hydrogen molecules with no leftover molecules. - This is correct in the context that every \( O_2 \) can combine with 4 \( H_2 \) to produce 4 \( H_2O \), but this isn't directly what we need for the 3 \( H_2 \) scenario.

The best fit from the available responses given the new balanced reaction of 6 \( H_2O \) formation from 6 \( H_2 \) would be related to no leftover molecules, aligning closely with the essence of the last option rather than producing leftover reactants.

Therefore, the correct response closely aligns with:

Each oxygen molecule will combine with 2 hydrogen molecules with no leftover molecules.

Thus, I would consider that insight as fitting, while ensuring no confusion exists between the numbers provided in the options.