C3H8 + O2 → CO2 + H2O Balance the chemical equations.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The balanced chemical equation is:
C₃H₈ + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
Explanation:
To balance the chemical equation C₃H₈ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O, follow these steps:
Step 1: Balance carbon (C) atoms
- The reactant C₃H₈ has 3 carbon atoms.
- On the product side, carbon appears in CO₂, which has 1 carbon atom per molecule.
- To balance carbon, place a 3 in front of CO₂: C₃H₈ + O₂ → 3CO₂ + H₂O
Step 2: Balance hydrogen (H) atoms
- The reactant C₃H₈ has 8 hydrogen atoms.
- On the product side, hydrogen appears in H₂O, which has 2 hydrogen atoms per molecule.
- To balance hydrogen, place a 4 in front of H₂O: C₃H₈ + O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
Step 3: Balance oxygen (O) atoms
- Now count the total oxygen atoms on the product side:
- 3CO₂ contains 3 × 2 = 6 oxygen atoms
- 4H₂O contains 4 × 1 = 4 oxygen atoms
- Total = 6 + 4 = 10 oxygen atoms
- On the reactant side, O₂ has 2 oxygen atoms per molecule.
- To get 10 oxygen atoms, you need 5 O₂ molecules: C₃H₈ + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
Step 4: Verify
- Carbon: 3 atoms on both sides.
- Hydrogen: 8 atoms on both sides.
- Oxygen: 10 atoms on both sides.
This is now a completely balanced chemical equation. It shows the combustion of propane (C₃H₈) in oxygen (O₂), producing carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). This reaction is an example of a hydrocarbon combustion reaction, which always results in carbon dioxide and water when complete
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