How Much Water Can Be Produced from 5 Grams of Oxygen and 5 Grams of Hydrogen?

Water production, specifically from hydrogen and oxygen, is a fundamental chemical reaction that occurs in several applications, from educational demonstrations to industrial processes. This article explores the specifics of how much water can be produced when 5 grams of oxygen and 5 grams of hydrogen are combined. We will delve into the chemical equation, calculate the limiting reactant, and determine the amount of water produced.

The Chemistry Behind the Reaction

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) to form water (H2O) is:

2H2 O2 → 2H2O

From this equation, we can see that 2 moles of hydrogen react with 1 mole of oxygen to produce 2 moles of water.

Calculating Moles of Hydrogen and Oxygen

First, let's calculate the moles of each reactant using the given masses and their respective molar masses.

Moles of Hydrogen (H2):

molar mass of H2 2 g/mol

moles of H2 5 grams / 2 g/mol 2.5 moles

Moles of Oxygen (O2):

molar mass of O2 32 g/mol

moles of O2 5 grams / 32 g/mol ≈ 0.15625 moles

Determining the Limiting Reactant

Next, we determine the limiting reactant. According to the balanced equation:

2 moles of H2 react with 1 mole of O2

This means that 1 mole of O2 requires 2 moles of H2. To produce the required amount of H2 from 0.15625 moles of O2:

Required moles of H2 2 × 0.15625 0.3125 moles

Since we have 2.5 moles of H2 available, hydrogen is in excess, and oxygen is the limiting reactant.

Calculating the Amount of Water Produced

Now we calculate the amount of water produced from the limiting reactant, oxygen. According to the balanced equation:

1 mole of O2 produces 2 moles of H2O

Therefore, 0.15625 moles of O2 will produce:

moles of H2O 2 × 0.15625 0.3125 moles

Finally, convert moles of water to grams using the molar mass of water (H2O), which is approximately 18 g/mol:

mass of H2O 0.3125 moles × 18 g/mol ≈ 5.625 grams

Conclusion:

When 5 grams of oxygen and 5 grams of hydrogen are mixed, approximately 5.625 grams of water can be produced, based on the limiting reactant, oxygen.