Question

which image depicts the correct particle model for the products of the equation given below? unbalanced reaction \\(\ce{h_{2} + o_{2} -> h_{2}o}\\) (with particle legend: \\(\bullet\\) h, \\(\bigcirc\\) o) and three image options below to choose from

Explanation:

1. First, balance the chemical equation: The reaction is \( \ce{H_2 + O_2 -> H_2O} \). Balancing gives \( \ce{2H_2 + O_2 -> 2H_2O} \). So the product is \( \ce{H_2O} \) molecules, each with 2 H (black) and 1 O (white) atoms.
2. Analyze the options:

• First option: Particles don't match \( \ce{H_2O} \) structure (wrong ratios).
• Second option: Contains \( \ce{O_2} \) (unreacted, but product should be only \( \ce{H_2O} \)).
• Third option: Each molecule has 2 black (H) and 1 white (O) atoms, matching \( \ce{H_2O} \), and the number of molecules should align with the balanced equation (2 \( \ce{H_2O} \) from 2 \( \ce{H_2} \) and 1 \( \ce{O_2} \), but the third image's particle count for \( \ce{H_2O} \) is consistent with the product of the balanced reaction).

Answer:

The third image (with molecules each having two black spheres and one white sphere, arranged as \( \ce{H_2O} \) models)