When acetone, C3H6O, is oxidized via combustion, the following reaction can be envisioned. Balance this reaction and determine the total of the coefficients when added together.
No equation given
C3H6O + 4 O2 �¨ 3 CO2 + 3 H2O how many coefficients?
56
To balance the combustion reaction of acetone (C3H6O), follow these steps:
1. Write the unbalanced equation for the reaction:
C3H6O + O2 → CO2 + H2O
2. Count the number of atoms on both sides of the equation. In this case, we have:
C: 3 on the left side, 1 on the right side
H: 6 on the left side, 2 on the right side
O: 1 on the left side, 3 on the right side
3. Start balancing the equation by adjusting the coefficients of the compounds. Start with carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and then oxygen (O).
4. Balance carbon (C):
Place a coefficient of 3 in front of CO2 to balance the carbon atoms:
C3H6O + O2 → 3CO2 + H2O
5. Balance hydrogen (H):
Place a coefficient of 6 in front of H2O to balance the hydrogen atoms:
C3H6O + O2 → 3CO2 + 3H2O
6. Balance oxygen (O):
Count the total number of oxygen atoms on the right side (3CO2 + 3H2O):
3CO2: 3 × 2 = 6
3H2O: 3 × 1 = 3
Total = 9 oxygen atoms
Since there is only one oxygen molecule (O2) on the left side, you'll need to put a coefficient of 4 in front of O2 to balance the oxygen atoms:
C3H6O + 4O2 → 3CO2 + 3H2O
7. Now recheck all the atoms:
C: 3 on both sides
H: 6 on both sides
O: 8 + 12 = 20 on both sides
The balanced equation is:
C3H6O + 4O2 → 3CO2 + 3H2O
To determine the total of the coefficients when added together:
3 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 13
Therefore, the total of the coefficients when added together is 13.