Final answer:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water is 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, illustrating the combination of two molecules of hydrogen with one molecule of oxygen to produce two molecules of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical equation for hydrogen and oxygen reacting to produce water is written as 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O. This equation indicates that two molecules (or moles) of hydrogen gas (H₂) react with one molecule (or mole) of oxygen gas (O₂) to form two molecules (or moles) of water (H₂O).
It is important to note that the equation is balanced, meaning it respects the law of conservation of mass with the number of atoms of each element being equal on both sides of the equation.