Question

Write the balanced chemical equation where liquid decane burns in oxygen gas to form carbon dioxide gas and water vapor. Use the smallest whole number coefficients. Indicate the states of the reactants and products.

Answer 1

Answer:

$2C_{10} H_{22(l)} + 31O2(g)--> 20CO_{2(g)} + 22H_{2}O_{(g)}$

Explanation:

$2C_{10} H_{22(g)} + 31O2(g)--> 20CO_{2(g)} + 22H_{2}O_{(g)}$

From the question, one can work out which states of matter to assign to which species. The trick with organic equations of this nature is to try to balance everything but oxygen first. Make sure you balance oxygen last because it is the easiest to balance.