Pentane gas (C5H12) combusts with oxygen gas (O2) to form water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction and explain the scientific principle (statement) that requires the balancing of an equation to make it conform to reality.
C5H12 + 8O2 ==> 5CO2 + 6H2O
Here is the balanced equation. You fill in the explanations.
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The balanced chemical equation for the combustion of pentane gas (C5H12) with oxygen gas (O2) to form water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is:
C5H12 + 8 O2 -> 5 CO2 + 6 H2O
The scientific principle that requires the balancing of a chemical equation is the Law of Conservation of Mass. According to this law, the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products in a chemical reaction. This means that atoms cannot be created or destroyed during a chemical reaction, only rearranged.
Balancing the equation ensures that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms of that element on the product side. In the case of the combustion of pentane, there are five carbon atoms on the reactant side and five carbon atoms on the product side, as well as twelve hydrogen atoms on the reactant side and twelve hydrogen atoms on the product side. Similarly, there are sixteen oxygen atoms on the reactant side and sixteen oxygen atoms on the product side.
By balancing the equation, we ensure that the reaction conforms to the Law of Conservation of Mass and accurately represents the stoichiometry of the reaction.
The balanced chemical equation for the combustion of pentane (C5H12) with oxygen gas (O2) to form water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is as follows:
C5H12 + 8O2 -> 5CO2 + 6H2O
Now, let's dive into the scientific principle that requires the balancing of an equation: the Law of Conservation of Mass. This principle states that in any chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants must be equal to the total mass of the products. In other words, the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side of the equation must be the same as the number of atoms of each element on the product side of the equation.
By balancing a chemical equation, we ensure that the Law of Conservation of Mass is satisfied. Balancing involves adjusting the coefficients in front of each compound or element, so that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation.
In the given equation, we can see that there are five carbon atoms on the reactant side, but only one carbon atom on the product side. To balance the carbons, we multiply the CO2 by 5, giving us 5CO2. Similarly, there are 12 hydrogen atoms on the reactant side but only 6 on the product side. Hence, we multiply the H2O by 6, resulting in 6H2O.
Now, on the reactant side, there are 16 oxygen atoms (8 O2 molecules). On the product side, we have 10 oxygen atoms (5CO2 + 6H2O). To balance the oxygen, we need to add additional O2 molecules. In this case, since we have 16 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and each O2 molecule has 2 oxygen atoms, we need to add 8 O2 molecules to the product side.
After balancing the equation, we have 5 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 16 oxygen atoms on both sides. Therefore, the equation is now balanced, satisfying the Law of Conservation of Mass and representing a realistic chemical reaction.