The reaction of carbon monoxide gas with water vapor produces carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas. Write the balanced equation for the reaction.

A chemical reaction involves the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another. It occurs when the reactants, substances initially present, collide and reconfigure their atomic structure to produce new substances, known as products. In our exercise, carbon monoxide gas reacting with water vapor to produce carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas is a classic example of a chemical reaction. During this process, the atoms of carbon monoxide (CO) and water (H2O) rearrange themselves to form carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen gas (H2).

This reaction, like all chemical reactions, must adhere to the law of conservation of mass, which states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system. Consequently, the number of each type of atom on the reactant side must equal the number on the product side, necessitating the process of balancing the chemical equation.

Stoichiometry is the mathematical relationship between the quantities of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It is a fundamental concept within chemistry that involves using the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation to determine the relative quantities of substances involved. In the given equation, we are asked to find the correct stoichiometry. The balanced equation 2CO + 2H2O → CO2 + 2H2 tells us that two molecules of carbon monoxide and two molecules of water react to form one molecule of carbon dioxide and two molecules of hydrogen gas.

To achieve a balanced equation, one follows a systematic approach to ensure the same number of each type of atom appears on both sides of the equation. This balance is essential because it reflects the actual quantities and proportions in which chemicals react. It allows us to calculate how much product we can expect from given quantities of reactants, which is crucial in fields ranging from laboratory research to industrial manufacturing and environmental science.

Chemical formulas represent the types and numbers of atoms within a molecule of a compound. For instance, CO signifies carbon monoxide, indicating one carbon atom (C) bonded to one oxygen atom (O). The chemical formula provides essential information, conveying not only the qualitative composition but also the quantitative ratios in which atoms combine. This offers insights into the properties of the substance and how it behaves during chemical reactions.

In balancing chemical equations, understanding chemical formulas is crucial. When we balanced the equation for our exercise, careful consideration of the formulas for carbon monoxide (CO), water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrogen gas (H2) allowed us to correctly apply coefficients to maintain the balance of atoms. These formulas are the building blocks of stoichiometry, providing the basis from which we can deduce the proper ratios and proportions needed to satisfy the principles of conservation during chemical reactions.