Question

balance the equation

c₂h₅oh + o₂ → co₂ + h₂o

Explanation:

Step1: Balance carbon atoms

There are 2 carbon atoms in \(C_{2}H_{5}OH\). So, we put 2 in front of \(CO_{2}\).
\(C_{2}H_{5}OH+\square O_{2}\to2CO_{2}+\square H_{2}O\)

Step2: Balance hydrogen atoms

There are 6 hydrogen atoms in \(C_{2}H_{5}OH\). So, we put 3 in front of \(H_{2}O\).
\(C_{2}H_{5}OH+\square O_{2}\to2CO_{2}+3H_{2}O\)

Step3: Balance oxygen atoms

On the right - hand side, the number of oxygen atoms in \(2CO_{2}\) is \(2\times2 = 4\) and in \(3H_{2}O\) is 3. So, total oxygen atoms on the right - hand side is \(4 + 3=7\). In \(C_{2}H_{5}OH\), there is 1 oxygen atom. So, the number of oxygen atoms from \(O_{2}\) is \(7-1 = 6\). Since each \(O_{2}\) molecule has 2 oxygen atoms, we put 3 in front of \(O_{2}\).

Answer:

\(1C_{2}H_{5}OH + 3O_{2}\to2CO_{2}+3H_{2}O\)