what products would be formed if glycerol were combusted? wright a balanced equation for the combuntion reaction of glycerol (C3,H8,O3).
To determine the products formed when glycerol (C3H8O3) is combusted, we need to write a balanced equation for the combustion reaction.
The general combustion reaction for an organic compound like glycerol can be represented as follows:
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen -> Carbon Dioxide + Water
Now, let's balance the equation step by step:
1. Write the unbalanced equation:
C3H8O3 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
2. Count the number of carbon atoms in the reactants and products:
On the left side, there are 3 carbon atoms in glycerol (C3H8O3), and on the right side, there is 1 carbon atom in carbon dioxide (CO2).
3. Balance the carbon atoms:
To balance the carbon atoms, we need to multiply CO2 by 3:
C3H8O3 + O2 -> 3CO2 + H2O
4. Count the number of hydrogen atoms in the reactants and products:
On the left side, there are 8 hydrogen atoms in glycerol (C3H8O3), and on the right side, there are 4 hydrogen atoms in water (H2O).
5. Balance the hydrogen atoms:
To balance the hydrogen atoms, we need to multiply H2O by 4:
C3H8O3 + O2 -> 3CO2 + 4H2O
6. Count the number of oxygen atoms in the reactants and products:
On the left side, there are 3 oxygen atoms in glycerol (C3H8O3), and on the right side, there are 10 oxygen atoms in carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) combined.
7. Balance the oxygen atoms:
To balance the oxygen atoms, we need to add the appropriate coefficient for O2:
C3H8O3 + 5O2 -> 3CO2 + 4H2O
Now, the balanced equation for the combustion reaction of glycerol is:
C3H8O3 + 5O2 -> 3CO2 + 4H2O
The products formed during the combustion of glycerol are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).