Question

many common household lighters contain butane (c₄h₁₀). butane burns in oxygen gas (o₂) to produce carbon dioxide (co₂) and water vapor (h₂o). this reaction is represented by the balanced chemical equation below.
2c₄h₁₀ (g) + 13o₂ (g) → 8co₂ (g) + 10h₂o (g)
determine the number of each type of atom in the reactants and products.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the number of carbon atoms in reactants

In reactants, we have \(2C_4H_{10}\). Each \(C_4H_{10}\) molecule has 4 carbon atoms. So the number of carbon atoms in reactants is \(2\times4 = 8\).

Step2: Calculate the number of carbon atoms in products

In products, we have \(8CO_2\). Each \(CO_2\) molecule has 1 carbon atom. So the number of carbon atoms in products is \(8\times1=8\).

Step3: Calculate the number of oxygen atoms in reactants

In reactants, we have \(13O_2\). Each \(O_2\) molecule has 2 oxygen atoms. So the number of oxygen atoms in reactants is \(13\times2 = 26\).

Step4: Calculate the number of oxygen atoms in products

In products, we have \(8CO_2\) and \(10H_2O\). Each \(CO_2\) molecule has 2 oxygen atoms and each \(H_2O\) molecule has 1 oxygen atom. So the number of oxygen atoms in products is \((8\times2)+(10\times1)=16 + 10=26\).

Answer:

	Number of atoms in reactants	Number of atoms in products
H	20	20
O	26	26