In the balanced chemical equation for the reaction: PbO2 + 4HCl → PbCl2 + Cl2 + 2H2O, what is the mole ratio of PbO2 to H2O?

• A. 1:2
• B. 2:4
• C. 1:1
• D. 2:1

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the balanced chemical equation given: \(\mathrm{PbO_2 + 4HCl \rightarrow PbCl_2 + Cl_2 + 2H_2O}\).
2. Look at the coefficients in front of each compound to determine the mole ratios. The coefficient in front of \(\mathrm{PbO_2}\) is 1, and the coefficient in front of \(\mathrm{H_2O}\) is 2.
3. The mole ratio of \(\mathrm{PbO_2}\) to \(\mathrm{H_2O}\) is therefore the ratio of their coefficients, which is \$1:2$.
4. Express this ratio clearly as \(\mathrm{PbO_2 : H_2O = 1 : 2}\), meaning 1 mole of \(\mathrm{PbO_2}\) produces 2 moles of \(\mathrm{H_2O}\) in the reaction.
5. This mole ratio is useful for stoichiometric calculations, such as determining how much water is produced from a given amount of lead dioxide.