How do you balance #C_3H_8 + O_2 -> CO_2 + H_2O#?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 1, 2016

If you mean complete combustion of propane:

#C_3H_8(g) + 5O_2(g) rarr 3CO_2(g) + 4H_2O(l)#

Explanation:

Garbage in must equal garbage out. Complete combustion specifies that all of the carbon reactant is oxidized to #CO_2#.

To make sure that it is balanced look at the left hand sides and right sides: LHS: #3xxC+8xxH+10xxO#; RHS: #3xxC+8xxH+10xxO#. Reactants and products are stoichiometrically balanced as they must be.

Can you represent the complete combustions of pentane, #C_5H_12#, and then hexane, #C_6H_14#?

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