Question

part 5: combustion reactions

1. _ ch₈ + _ o₂ → _ co₂ + _ h₂o

Explanation:

Step1: Balance carbon atoms

There is 1 carbon atom in \(CH_8\). So, the coefficient of \(CO_2\) is 1.

Step2: Balance hydrogen atoms

There are 8 hydrogen atoms in \(CH_8\). In \(H_2O\), each molecule has 2 hydrogen atoms. So, the coefficient of \(H_2O\) is \(\frac{8}{2}=4\).

Step3: Balance oxygen atoms

On the right - hand side, there are \(2\times1 + 1\times4=6\) oxygen atoms (2 from \(CO_2\) and 1 from each \(H_2O\) molecule). In \(O_2\), each molecule has 2 oxygen atoms. So, the coefficient of \(O_2\) is \(\frac{6}{2}=3\).

Answer:

\(1CH_8+3O_2
ightarrow1CO_2 + 4H_2O\)