Balance the following chemical equation
Blank C2H6 + Blank O2 → Blank CO2 + Blank H2O
2 C2H6 + 7 O2 → 4 CO2 + 6 H2O
To balance the chemical equation:
C2H6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
We need to make sure the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.
1. We start by balancing carbon atoms:
There are 2 carbon atoms on the left side and 1 carbon atom on the right side. To balance it, we put a coefficient of 2 in front of CO2.
C2H6 + O2 → 2CO2 + H2O
2. Next, balance the hydrogen atoms:
There are 6 hydrogen atoms on the left side, while there are only 2 hydrogen atoms on the right side. We put a coefficient of 3 in front of H2O to balance it.
C2H6 + O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O
3. Lastly, balance the oxygen atoms:
There are 2 oxygen atoms in ethane, 1 oxygen atom in oxygen gas, and 4 oxygen atoms in carbon dioxide, for a total of 7 oxygen atoms on the right side. To balance it, we put a coefficient of 7/2 or 3.5 in front of O2.
C2H6 + 3.5O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O
Since we can't have half molecules, we'll multiply the entire equation by 2 to get rid of the fractional coefficients.
2C2H6 + 7O2 → 4CO2 + 6H2O
Now, the equation is balanced with 2 molecules of ethane reacting with 7 molecules of oxygen gas, producing 4 molecules of carbon dioxide and 6 molecules of water.
To balance the chemical equation C2H6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O, you need to determine the coefficients (the numbers placed in front of each compound or element) that will ensure that the equation obeys the law of conservation of mass.
Here's how to balance the equation step by step:
1. Start with the compound that has the largest number of atoms on either side of the equation. In this case, it is O2.
2. Place the coefficient 2 in front of O2 to balance the number of oxygen atoms. This gives you:
C2H6 + 2O2 → Blank CO2 + Blank H2O.
3. Count the number of hydrogen (H) atoms on both sides of the equation. On the left side, there are six hydrogen atoms (2*3) in C2H6, so we will need three water molecules on the right side (H2O) to balance it. Now the equation becomes:
C2H6 + 2O2 → Blank CO2 + 3H2O.
4. Next, count the number of carbon (C) atoms. On the left side, there are two carbon atoms in C2H6. Therefore, you will need two carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules on the right side to balance it. The equation now reads:
C2H6 + 2O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O.
5. Finally, check if the equation is balanced by counting the number of each type of atom on both sides.
Left side:
C: 2
H: 6
O: 2
Right side:
C: 2
H: 6
O: 6
The equation is now balanced, as there are equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides.
The balanced equation is:
C2H6 + 2O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O.