what is the balnced equation for phosphorus burns in oxygen to produce tetraphosphorus decoxide

4P + 5O2 ==> P4O10

The balanced equation for the reaction where phosphorus burns in oxygen to produce tetraphosphorus decoxide is as follows:

4 P (phosphorus) + 5 O2 (oxygen) → 2 P4O10 (tetraphosphorus decoxide)

To balance the equation for the combustion of phosphorus (P4) in oxygen (O2) to produce tetraphosphorus decoxide (P4O10), we need to make sure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation. Here's how you can balance it step by step:

1. Write down the unbalanced equation: P4 + O2 → P4O10

2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides:
P: 4 on the left, 4 in the middle, and 10 on the right
O: 2 on the left, 0 in the middle, and 10 on the right

3. Start by balancing the elements that appear in the fewest places. In this case, it's phosphorus (P):
Since there are 4 phosphorus atoms on the left and 4 in the middle, we don't need to change the coefficient for P4.

4. Balance the oxygen (O) atoms:
Since there are 10 oxygen atoms on the right, we need to have 10 on the left side as well. To achieve this, we need to multiply the oxygen molecule (O2) on the left by 5.

The final balanced equation is:
P4 + 5O2 → P4O10

Now, the equation is balanced with 4 phosphorus atoms and 10 oxygen atoms on both sides.