Balance C3H8 + O2 + CO2 + H2O
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Balanced Equation:
C₃H₈ + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
Explanation:
To balance the chemical equation involving the combustion of propane (C₃H₈), we need to ensure the number of atoms of each element on the left side equals the number of atoms on the right side of the equation.
Step 1: Understand the Reaction Type
This is a combustion reaction. Propane (C₃H₈), a hydrocarbon, reacts with oxygen (O₂) to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). Combustion reactions of hydrocarbons always produce these two products if the combustion is complete.
Step 2: Balance Carbon Atoms
Propane has 3 carbon atoms. So, place a coefficient of 3 in front of CO₂ to balance the carbon atoms:
C₃H₈ + O₂ → 3CO₂ + H₂O
Now both sides have 3 carbon atoms.
Step 3: Balance Hydrogen Atoms
Propane has 8 hydrogen atoms. Each water molecule has 2 hydrogen atoms. To get 8 hydrogen atoms on the product side, place a coefficient of 4 in front of H₂O:
C₃H₈ + O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
Now both sides have 8 hydrogen atoms.
Step 4: Balance Oxygen Atoms
Now count the total number of oxygen atoms on the right-hand side.
From 3CO₂, you get 3 × 2 = 6 oxygen atoms.
From 4H₂O, you get 4 × 1 = 4 oxygen atoms.
In total, 6 + 4 = 10 oxygen atoms are needed.
Each O₂ molecule has 2 oxygen atoms, so to get 10 oxygen atoms, you need 5 O₂ molecules:
C₃H₈ + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
Now both sides have equal numbers of each atom:
- Carbon: 3
- Hydrogen: 8
- Oxygen: 10
The equation is now balanced.
