How to Write the Word Equation for the Chemical Equation: 2H2O -> 2H2 + O2
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Word Equation:
Water → Hydrogen + Oxygen
Or more fully written:
Two molecules of water decompose to form two molecules of hydrogen gas and one molecule of oxygen gas.
Explanation (Approximately 300 words):
The chemical equation:
2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂
is a representation of the decomposition of water into its elemental components—hydrogen and oxygen. To convert this into a word equation, we translate each chemical formula into its corresponding chemical name.
- H₂O stands for water
- H₂ stands for hydrogen gas
- O₂ stands for oxygen gas
Thus, the word equation becomes:
Water → Hydrogen + Oxygen
To be more descriptive and reflect the stoichiometry (the numerical relationships in the equation), we could say:
Two molecules of water produce two molecules of hydrogen gas and one molecule of oxygen gas.
This reaction is a decomposition reaction, meaning a single compound (water) breaks down into simpler substances (hydrogen and oxygen). It usually requires energy input, typically in the form of electricity in a process called electrolysis.
Here’s why it matters:
- This equation demonstrates the law of conservation of mass. The total number of atoms on both sides of the equation must be equal.
- Reactants: 2 water molecules = 4 hydrogen atoms + 2 oxygen atoms
- Products: 2 hydrogen gas molecules = 4 hydrogen atoms; 1 oxygen gas molecule = 2 oxygen atoms
- The reaction also shows how chemical equations are balanced using coefficients (like 2H₂O) to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the arrow.
In summary, the word equation Water → Hydrogen + Oxygen provides a readable way of describing the chemical reaction where water breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen gases.