Balance H₂ + O₂ → H₂O
2 H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2 H₂O(l)
Balance an equation
2H₂(g)+O₂(g)→2H₂O(l)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| H | 2:2 | 4:4 |
| O | 2:1 | 2:2 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, H₂O: put 1 in front of it.
- H: 2 on the right. Put 1 in front of H₂ (1 × 2 = 2).
- O: 1 on the right. Put 1/2 in front of O₂ (1/2 × 2 = 1).
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2.
- Check: H 4 = 4, O 2 = 2. Balanced.
What happens
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Hydrogen burns in oxygen to form water. A mixture of the two gases explodes when lit.
Hydrogen and oxygen: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for hydrogen and oxygen?
2 H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2 H₂O(l). The coefficients are 2, 1 and 2. Each side then has 4 H and 2 O.
What type of reaction is hydrogen and oxygen?
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Hydrogen burns in oxygen to form water. A mixture of the two gases explodes when lit.
How do you balance H₂ + O₂ → H₂O?
Start with the biggest formula, H₂O: put 1 in front of it. H: 2 on the right. Put 1 in front of H₂ (1 × 2 = 2). O: 1 on the right. Put 1/2 in front of O₂ (1/2 × 2 = 1). Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.