Question

How do you balance
\[{H_2} + {O_2} \to {H_2}O\]

Answer 1

Hint In order to balance the given chemical equation, we must first know what a balanced equation is. We should also have an idea about how to balance the chemical equation. When the number of atoms present in both the reaction and product side in a given chemical equation is equal. This is called the balanced chemical equation.

Complete step by step solution:
First let us understand what a chemical equation is. When a chemical reaction is represented in the chemical symbol, then it is called a chemical equation. A chemical equation will be having a reactant, product and an arrow to represent the direction. When the number of atoms present in both the reaction and product side in a given chemical equation is equal. This is called the balanced chemical equation. Now let us move onto the given question.
First, we have to write the components present in the equation given below separately.
\[{H_2} + {O_2} \to {H_2}O\]
In the above given equation,
The left side will be having two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms.
The right side will be having two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
In order to balance the oxygen atom, we have to multiply the oxygen atom on the right side by 2. When we are multiplying by 2, the number of hydrogen atoms in the right side becomes four.
Now to balance the hydrogen atom on both sides, we have to multiply the hydrogen atom on the left side by 2.
Finally, the oxygen atom present on both sides becomes two and the hydrogen atoms present on both sides becomes 4.

Therefore, the balanced equation is written as:
\[2{H_2} + {O_2} \to 2{H_2}O\]

Note: When we are writing a chemical equation, we should never forget to balance the equation because when the chemical equation is unbalanced, then the equation is incorrect or incomplete. Therefore, always remember to balance the chemical equation.