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The chemical formula of water is H2O. How many hydrogen and oxygen atoms are in water?

User TheSeeker
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Final answer:

A water molecule (H₂O) consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. In two water molecules, there are 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms. The ratio of hydrogen to oxygen in water is always 2:1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical formula of water is H₂O, indicating that each molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Therefore, in two water molecules there would be a total of 4 hydrogen atoms (since 2 molecules × 2 hydrogen atoms/molecule = 4 hydrogen atoms) and 2 oxygen atoms (since 2 molecules × 1 oxygen atom/molecule = 2 oxygen atoms).

The ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms in water is always 2:1.

This ratio is important in understanding the empirical formula, which reflects the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.

The concept of moles is also significant in chemistry. A mole is Avogadro's number, which is 6.022×10²³, of molecules. When we say one mole of water molecules, it means 6.022×10²³ water molecules, and consequently, there would be twice as many hydrogen atoms, or 2 moles of hydrogen atoms, and one mole of oxygen atoms within that quantity of water.

User ITomas
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