If water is 2 hydrogen molecules and 1 oxygen molecule how can the ocean be 86% oxygen and 11% hydrogen?

Oxygen is approximately 16 u, and hydrogen is approximately 1 u. A water molecule would then be about 18 u total mass, with only 11% of the mass, about 2 u, being hydrogen.

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Course: Big History Project > Unit 5

Lesson 3: How Do Earth and Life Interact? | 5.2

ACTIVITY: Infographic — Chemical Abundances: The Oceans

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The chemical composition of our oceans varies depending on location, but the primary ingredients are oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, and sodium. Download the PDF of the Chemical Abundances: The Oceans infographic.

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sam
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to sam's post “If water is 2 hydrogen mo...”
If water is 2 hydrogen molecules and 1 oxygen molecule how can the ocean be 86% oxygen and 11% hydrogen?
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(8 votes)
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- Davin V Jones
  Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Davin V Jones's post “Oxygen is approximately 1...”
  Oxygen is approximately 16 u, and hydrogen is approximately 1 u. A water molecule would then be about 18 u total mass, with only 11% of the mass, about 2 u, being hydrogen.
  Comment on Davin V Jones's post “Oxygen is approximately 1...”
  (8 votes)