Question

list the coefficients for the reaction: $c_{10}h_{8}+o_{2}$ yields $co_{2}+h_{2}o$.
1, 8, 6, 2
1, 12, 10, 4
1, 4, 6, 8
1, 10, 12, 8

Explanation:

Step1: Balance Carbon Atoms

The chemical formula is \(C_{10}H_8+O_2
ightarrow CO_2 + H_2O\). For carbon, there are 10 \(C\) atoms in \(C_{10}H_8\). So, we put a coefficient of 10 in front of \(CO_2\). The equation becomes \(C_{10}H_8+O_2
ightarrow 10CO_2 + H_2O\).

Step2: Balance Hydrogen Atoms

There are 8 \(H\) atoms in \(C_{10}H_8\). So, we put a coefficient of 4 in front of \(H_2O\) (since \(4\times2 = 8\) hydrogen atoms). The equation is \(C_{10}H_8+O_2
ightarrow 10CO_2+4H_2O\).

Step3: Balance Oxygen Atoms

On the right - hand side, the number of \(O\) atoms is \(10\times2 + 4\times1=20 + 4=24\). So, we put a coefficient of 12 in front of \(O_2\) (since \(12\times2 = 24\) oxygen atoms). The balanced equation is \(C_{10}H_8+12O_2 = 10CO_2+4H_2O\).

Answer:

1, 12, 10, 4