Question

rocket engines can be fueled by liquid hydrogen. the liquid hydrogen reacts with liquid oxygen, producing water vapor and releasing an enormous amount of energy. consider the following reaction: 12 molecules of hydrogen (h₂) react with 6 molecules of oxygen (o₂) to produce some amount of water (h₂o). complete the table below. table with chemical element (h, o) and number of atoms in the reaction during this reaction, how many molecules of water (h₂o) are produced?

Explanation:

Step 1: Balance the chemical equation

The reaction between hydrogen ($H_2$) and oxygen ($O_2$) to form water ($H_2O$) is:

$$2H_2 + O_2 ightarrow 2H_2O$$

Step 2: Analyze moles of reactants

We have 12 molecules of $H_2$ and 6 molecules of $O_2$.

• From the balanced equation, 2 molecules of $H_2$ react with 1 molecule of $O_2$.
• For $H_2$: $\frac{12}{2} = 6$ (sets of 2 $H_2$ molecules).
• For $O_2$: $\frac{6}{1} = 6$ (sets of 1 $O_2$ molecule).

Step 3: Determine moles of $H_2O$ produced

From the balanced equation, 2 molecules of $H_2O$ are produced per 2 molecules of $H_2$ (or 1 molecule of $O_2$).
Since we have 6 sets (from $H_2$ or $O_2$), moles of $H_2O$ = $6 \times 2 = 12$.

Table Completion (Atoms):

• Hydrogen (H):
• Reactants: $12$ $H_2$ molecules $\times 2$ H atoms/molecule = $24$ H atoms.
• Products: $12$ $H_2O$ molecules $\times 2$ H atoms/molecule = $24$ H atoms.
• Oxygen (O):
• Reactants: $6$ $O_2$ molecules $\times 2$ O atoms/molecule = $12$ O atoms.
• Products: $12$ $H_2O$ molecules $\times 1$ O atom/molecule = $12$ O atoms.

Answer:

(Molecules of $H_2O$):
$\boxed{12}$