Balance the following equation: C3H8 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O

There will be no need for state symbols.

First of all, to balance these equations, list the number of each atom, for both sides of the equation.

In this example, it would be:

Carbon: 3                            Carbon: 1
Hydrogen: 8                          Hydrogen: 2
Oxygen: 2                           Oxygen: 3

The first step would be to balance out the carbons on the products side by multiplying CO2 by 3. The new equation will be:

C3H8 + 02 ----> 3CO2 + H20

Now the carbons are balanced, we will look at the hydrogens. We can multiply the number of waters on the product side by 4, to make 4 H20 molecules. This gives both sides of the equation 8 hydrogens.

Next, we can check our oxygens. There will be 10 oxygens on the products side and 2 on the reactants. So, to balance these out, we multiply the 02 on the reactants side by 5.

The final equation will be:

C3H8 + 502 ----> 3CO2 + 4H20
 

GV
Answered by Ganesh V. Chemistry tutor

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