Question

The balanced chemical equation for the combustion of butane is: 2C2H2 + 5O2 CO2 + 2H2O 2CH4 + 5O2 2CO2 + 4H2O 2C4H10 + 13O2 8CO2 + 10H2O C4H10 + 12O2 4CO2 + 5H2O

Answer 1

Butane is C₄H₁₀.

$C_4H_{10} + O_2 \to CO_2 + H_2O \\ \\ \hbox{balance carbon and hydrogen on the right-hand side:} \\ C_4 H_{10} + O_2 \to 4 \ CO_2 + 5 \ H_2O \\ \\ \hbox{balance oxygen on the left-hand side:} \\ C_4 H_{10} + \frac{13}{2} \ O_2 \to 4 \ CO_2 + 5 \ H_2O \\ \\ \hbox{multiply by 2 to get rid of the fraction:} \\ 2 \ C_4H_{10} + 13 \ O_2 \to 8 \ CO_2 + 10 \ H_2O$

The balanced equation is 2 C₄H₁₀ + 13 O₂ → 8 CO₂ + 10 H₂O.