Question

Compare and Contrast:

H and O vs. H2O
a. H and O are elements, while H2O is a compound.
b. H and O are gases, while H2O is a liquid.
c. H and O are metals, while H2O is a non-metal compound.
d. H and O combine to form H2O through a chemical reaction.

Answer 1

Hydrogen and oxygen are elements that exist as gases, whereas water is a compound formed by their combination in a 2:1 ratio, typically existing as a liquid with unique properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) versus water (H2O), one must understand the difference between elements and compounds. Hydrogen and oxygen are both elements, whereas water is a compound consisting of these elements combined in a fixed ratio. Elements like hydrogen and oxygen can exist as gases under standard conditions, whereas water is typically a liquid. Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means, while a compound is a substance that results from the combination of two or more elements and can have properties vastly different from its constituent elements.

Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water (H2O) through a chemical reaction. Each molecule of water is a stable association of two hydrogen atoms with one oxygen atom, and this precise arrangement bestows upon water its unique chemical and physical characteristics. As opposed to hydrogen and oxygen, which are both gases at room temperature, water is a liquid that is essential for life as we know it.