help to balance this equation; H [small2] + 0 [small 2---->H [small 2]0?

Question

please help

Answer 1

The question is more throroughly stated as "find the minimum whole numbers of each molecule in this reaction so that it balances the number of atoms."

You could devise a set of three of algebraic equations so that you wind up with the same amount of oxygen and hydrogens on both sides. That would be the general way, or you can just do it semi-intuitively with a simple equation like this one. I will walk you through it. I could just *tell* you the answer, but then you wouldn't learn!


Since both reactants are diatomic(*), look at the products: what is the least abundant atom there?

Now pick the smallest whole number of the reactant molecule on that still gives you a whole number of product molecules on the product side.

Now see how many of the other molecule you need on the reactant side to get the right number of product molecules (determined in the last step) on the product side.

For complex reactions with some of the same atoms in multiple reactants and perhaps with multiple products on the other end, it will become harder to just "see" the answer and you will need to rely on the general solution of setting up algebraic equations to solve, so you should learn this technique.

Do this simple one and maybe a few more, and then see if you can devise the general solution technique yourself to solve them again. Since you know the answer already you have a ready "reality check" to verify your technique.