The ratio of hydrogen to water is complex and depends on what ratio you are asking about (mass or number of atoms). Here's a breakdown:
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By Number of Atoms: The chemical formula for water is H₂O, meaning each molecule of water contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Therefore, the ratio of hydrogen atoms to water molecules is 2:1.
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By Mass: The ratio of hydrogen to water by mass is approximately 1:9. Here's why:
- The atomic mass of hydrogen (H) is approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu).
- The atomic mass of oxygen (O) is approximately 16 amu.
- Water (H₂O) has a molecular mass of (2 * 1) + 16 = 18 amu.
- The mass ratio of hydrogen to water is (2 * 1) / 18 = 2/18 = 1/9. This means for every 1 gram of hydrogen, there are 9 grams of water.
Therefore, the answer depends on whether you're referring to the number of atoms or the mass.
