Question

Propane, c3h8, burns to produce carbon dioxide and water by the equation below. what is the coefficient in front of the carbon dioxide in the balanced equation? c3h8 + o2 \rightarrow→→ co2 + h2o

Answer 1

Answer:

3

Explanation:

The unbalanced combustion reaction of the oxidation of propane is shown below as:-

$C_3H_8+O_2\rightarrow CO_2+H_2O$

On the left hand side,

There are 3 carbon atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms

On the right hand side,

There are 1 carbon atom and 2 hydrogen atoms and 3 oxygen atoms

Thus,

Right side, $CO_2$ must be multiplied by 3 and $H_2O$ by 4 so to balance carbon and hydrogen.

Left side, $O_2$ is multiplied by 5 so to balance the whole reaction.

Thus, the balanced reaction is:-

$C_3H_8+5O_2\rightarrow 3CO_2+4H_2O$

Coefficient in front of the carbon dioxide in the balanced equation - 3