Question

conservation of mass
you and your friends plan a camping trip. to make
sure you can cook food, you decide
to bring a camp stove. this portable stove uses
propane gas as a fuel. when the
propane combusts, a chemical reaction uses
propane and oxygen to produce carbon
dioxide gas and water. it also produces heat, which
is perfect for frying scrambled
eggs in the morning. the chemical reaction that
takes place in the camp stove can be
demonstrated by the following chemical equation:
c3h8 + o2 → co2 + h2o
is this chemical equation balanced? explain how
you know.

Explanation:

Step1: Count atoms on left side

For \(C_3H_8\), there are \(3\) carbon (\(C\)) atoms and \(8\) hydrogen (\(H\)) atoms. For \(O_2\), oxygen (\(O\)) atoms are \(2\).

Step2: Count atoms on right side

For \(CO_2\), if we assume coefficient \(1\) (initially), \(C\) is \(1\). For \(H_2O\), if coefficient \(1\) (initially), \(H\) is \(2\). Total \(O\) atoms: from \(CO_2\) it is \(2\), from \(H_2O\) it is \(1\), total \(3\).

Step3: Compare counts

Carbon: \(3
eq1\), Hydrogen: \(8
eq2\), Oxygen: \(2
eq3\).

Answer:

No, the chemical equation \(C_3H_8 + O_2
ightarrow CO_2 + H_2O\) is not balanced. Because the number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms on the reactant side (\(3\) C, \(8\) H, \(2\) O) is not equal to the number of these atoms on the product side (\(1\) C, \(2\) H, \(3\) O).