Answer to Question #117830 in General Chemistry for Jacob Barth

Question

The balanced chemical equation, 2 H2(g) +O2(g) → 2 H2O(g), shows a ratio of two H2O for every one O2. This ratio represents the ratio between the ______.

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for this reaction

2H2(g]+O2(g]→2H2O(l]

Notice that you have a 2:1 mole ratio between hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

This means that, regardless of how many moles of oxygen gas you have, the reaction needs twice as many moles of hydrogen gas in order to proceed.