Question

What is the chemical formula for water?

Answer 1

Answer: H2O

Explanation:

The chemical formula for water is H2O, which tells us exactly what water is made of at the molecular level. This simple formula represents one of the most important compounds on Earth and reveals the precise composition of every water molecule around us.

Let's break down what H2O means. The "H" represents hydrogen, while the "O" represents oxygen. The small number "2" after the H indicates that each water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms. Since there's no number after the O, it means there's just one oxygen atom in each molecule.

So every single water molecule, whether it's in your drinking glass, in the ocean, or falling as rain, consists of exactly two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. This gives water its unique properties that make life on Earth possible.

The way these atoms connect is fascinating. The two hydrogen atoms attach to the oxygen atom at an angle, creating a bent or V-shaped molecule rather than a straight line. This special shape, combined with the different charges on the atoms, gives water many of its remarkable characteristics like its ability to dissolve many substances and its unique freezing and boiling points.

It's amazing to think that something as simple as H2O makes up about 60% of our bodies, covers most of our planet's surface, and is essential for all known forms of life. Remember, no matter what form water takes - liquid, ice, or steam - the chemical formula remains the same: H2O.