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  • Hydrogen Combustion: Oxidation, Bond Formation, and Water Production
    Here's the breakdown of the reaction and the changes involved:

    The Reaction:

    2 H₂ (g) + O₂ (g) → 2 H₂O (l)

    Oxidation:

    * Hydrogen (H₂) is oxidized. Oxidation is the loss of electrons. In this reaction, each hydrogen atom loses an electron to become a hydrogen ion (H⁺).

    Bond Formation:

    * Covalent bonds are formed. Water (H₂O) is formed by the sharing of electrons between hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Each oxygen atom shares two electrons with two hydrogen atoms, forming two covalent bonds.

    Explanation:

    1. Reactants: Gaseous hydrogen (H₂) and gaseous oxygen (O₂) are the starting materials.

    2. Combustion: When hydrogen burns, it reacts rapidly with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat and light.

    3. Electron Transfer: Hydrogen atoms, which have a lower electronegativity than oxygen, lose electrons and become positively charged (H⁺). Oxygen atoms gain these electrons and become negatively charged (O²⁻).

    4. Water Formation: The positively charged hydrogen ions (H⁺) and negatively charged oxygen ions (O²⁻) attract each other and form covalent bonds, creating water molecules (H₂O).

    Summary:

    * Oxidized molecule: Hydrogen (H₂)

    * Bond formed: Covalent bonds in the water molecule (H₂O)

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