Question

question 3
what is the coefficient of carbon dioxide, co₂, when the following equation is balanced?
c₄h₁₀ + o₂ → ? co₂ + h₂o
8
9
13
15
5

Explanation:

Step1: Balance carbon atoms

In \(C_4H_{10}\), there are 4 carbon atoms. So, the coefficient of \(CO_2\) should be 4 initially. But let's do the full balancing.

Step2: Balance hydrogen atoms

In \(C_4H_{10}\), there are 10 hydrogen atoms. In \(H_2O\), to balance hydrogen, since each \(H_2O\) has 2 H atoms, the coefficient of \(H_2O\) is 5 (\(10\div2 = 5\)).

Step3: Balance oxygen atoms

On the right - hand side, in \(4CO_2\) there are \(4\times2=8\) O atoms and in \(5H_2O\) there are 5 O atoms. So, total O atoms on the right - hand side is \(8 + 5=13\). On the left - hand side, \(O_2\) is the source of O atoms. Let the coefficient of \(O_2\) be \(\frac{13}{2}\). But we usually use whole - number coefficients. Multiply the entire equation by 2.

The balanced equation is \(2C_4H_{10}+13O_2 = 8CO_2 + 10H_2O\)

Answer:

8