pentane is burned completely in oxygen gas. what is the balanced equation?
CnH(2n+2)
Pent-ane: C5H12
C5H12 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
now balance the equation!
C5H12+8O2->5CO2+6H2O
To balance the equation for the complete combustion of pentane (C5H12) in oxygen (O2), we need to ensure that the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is equal. Here's how you can do it step by step:
1. Start by writing the unbalanced equation:
C5H12 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
2. Count the number of carbon (C) atoms on each side. We have 5 carbon atoms on the left and 1 carbon atom in CO2 on the right. To balance them, we need to put a coefficient of 5 in front of CO2:
C5H12 + O2 → 5CO2 + H2O
3. Count the number of hydrogen (H) atoms. We have 12 hydrogen atoms on the left and 2 hydrogen atoms in H2O on the right. Place a coefficient of 6 in front of H2O to balance the hydrogens:
C5H12 + O2 → 5CO2 + 6H2O
4. Finally, check the number of oxygen (O) atoms. On the left side, we have 2 oxygen atoms in O2, and on the right side, we have 10 oxygen atoms in CO2 and 12 oxygen atoms in H2O. Thus, we need to put a coefficient of 15/2 or 7.5 in front of O2 to balance the oxygens:
C5H12 + 7.5O2 → 5CO2 + 6H2O
Since we can't have fractional coefficients, we need to multiply the entire equation by 2 to eliminate the decimal:
2C5H12 + 15O2 → 10CO2 + 12H2O
Thus, the balanced equation for the complete combustion of pentane is:
2C5H12 + 15O2 → 10CO2 + 12H2O