To solve this question, we need to analyze the given balanced chemical equation:
[tex]\[ 2 \, \text{HCl (aq)} + \text{Ca(OH)}_2 \, \text{(aq)} \rightarrow 2 \, \text{H}_2\text{O (l)} + \text{CaCl}_2 \, \text{(aq)} \][/tex]
We need to focus on the water component ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]) in the reaction and match it with the appropriate descriptor from the choices given.
Let’s go through each option:
1. [tex]$2 \, \text{L} \, \text{H}_2\text{O}$[/tex]
- This option suggests a volume measurement (liters) rather than a count of molecules or moles, which is not relevant in the context of the stoichiometry seen in the balanced chemical equation.
2. 2 molecules [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]
- The balanced chemical equation indicates that 2 molecules of [tex]\(\text{HCl}\)[/tex] react with 1 formula unit of [tex]\(\text{Ca(OH)}_2\)[/tex] to produce 2 molecules of [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]. This aligns perfectly with the stoichiometry.
3. 4 moles [tex]\(\text{H}_2\)[/tex]
- This option is unrelated to the [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex] in the reaction. It refers to hydrogen gas (H[tex]\(_2\)[/tex]), which is not even a product or reactant in this particular reaction.
4. 1 molecule [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]
- The equation explicitly shows the production of 2 molecules of [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex], not 1 molecule.
Therefore, the correct way to describe the [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex] component in the reaction is:
2 molecules [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]
This matches our results, where 2 molecules of water are produced according to the balanced chemical equation. So the correct answer is:
2 molecules [tex]$H _2 O$[/tex]
Finally, to reconfirm, the given options and analysis point clearly to:
[tex]\[ \boxed{2 \, \text{molecules} \, \text{H}_2\text{O}} \][/tex]
