What is the balanced equation for ethane?
do you mean the formula for ethane?
CH3CH3 or in condensed form C2H6
To determine the balanced equation for ethane (C2H6), we need to consider the reaction it undergoes. Ethane is a hydrocarbon, and it typically reacts with oxygen (O2) during combustion to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
The balanced equation for the combustion of ethane can be determined by following these steps:
Step 1: Write the reactants and products
C2H6 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
Step 2: Balance the carbon atoms
Since there are two carbon atoms on the left side (in C2H6) and only one carbon atom on the right side (in CO2), we need to balance the carbon atoms. To do this, we place a coefficient of 2 in front of CO2:
C2H6 + O2 -> 2CO2 + H2O
Step 3: Balance the hydrogen atoms
Since there are six hydrogen atoms on the left side (in C2H6) and only two hydrogen atoms on the right side (in H2O), we need to balance the hydrogen atoms. To do this, we place a coefficient of 3 in front of H2O:
C2H6 + O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O
Step 4: Balance the oxygen atoms
Now let's count the oxygen atoms. On the left side, there are two oxygen atoms in O2, and on the right side, there are four oxygen atoms in 2CO2 and six oxygen atoms in 3H2O. This gives us a total of 10 oxygen atoms on the right side, which means we need to balance it by placing a coefficient of 5/2 (or multiply everything by 2) in front of O2:
C2H6 + 5O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O
So, the balanced equation for the combustion of ethane is:
C2H6 + 5O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O