Write the balanced reaction for the incomplete combustion of pentane, assuming the formation of carbon monoxide and water as the products. Enter the coefficient for each compound.

(Use the lowest possible coefficients. Use the pull-down boxes to specify states such as (aq) or (s). If a box is not needed, leave it blank.)

C3H8 + O2 -> CO + H2O

To write a balanced reaction for the incomplete combustion of pentane, we first need to know the chemical formula of pentane. Pentane is a hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C₅H₁₂.

The incomplete combustion of pentane produces carbon monoxide (CO) and water (H₂O).

The balanced chemical equation for this reaction can be written as:

C₅H₁₂ + O₂ → CO + H₂O

To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation. Let's balance it step by step:

1. We start by balancing carbon atoms. There are 5 carbon atoms on the left and 1 on the right. To balance the carbon atoms, we put a coefficient of 5 in front of CO on the right-hand side:

C₅H₁₂ + O₂ → 5CO + H₂O

2. Next, we balance hydrogen atoms. There are 12 hydrogen atoms on the left and 2 on the right. We put a coefficient of 6 in front of H₂O to balance hydrogen atoms:

C₅H₁₂ + O₂ → 5CO + 6H₂O

3. Finally, we balance oxygen atoms. The only source of oxygen is O₂ on the left side. There are 2 oxygen atoms on the left and 11 oxygen atoms on the right. To balance the oxygen atoms, we put a coefficient of 16/2 = 8 in front of O₂ on the left-hand side:

C₅H₁₂ + 8O₂ → 5CO + 6H₂O

Thus, the balanced equation for the incomplete combustion of pentane, forming carbon monoxide and water, is:

C₅H₁₂ + 8O₂ → 5CO + 6H₂O