Which elements make up water?

Prepare for the AEST Foundations Industry Certification Exam with study tools including flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with helpful hints and detailed explanations. Get exam-ready today!

Multiple Choice

Which elements make up water?

Explanation:
Water consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, giving the formula H2O. This 2:1 ratio comes from how atoms bond: oxygen needs two electrons to complete its outer shell, so it forms two covalent bonds, typically with two hydrogen atoms. Each hydrogen provides one electron, resulting in two hydrogens for every oxygen. The other descriptions would imply different compounds (such as HO2, O2H, or H3O), which are not water. So the correct composition is two hydrogens and one oxygen.

Water consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, giving the formula H2O. This 2:1 ratio comes from how atoms bond: oxygen needs two electrons to complete its outer shell, so it forms two covalent bonds, typically with two hydrogen atoms. Each hydrogen provides one electron, resulting in two hydrogens for every oxygen. The other descriptions would imply different compounds (such as HO2, O2H, or H3O), which are not water. So the correct composition is two hydrogens and one oxygen.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy