Question

Balance the equation using the smallest whole number coefficient?: C3H8(g)+O2(g)--->CO2+H2O+heat

Answer 1

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

Explanation:

And here garbage in equals garbage out. This process of balancing, of stoichiometry may seem a little unfamiliar...but only in the context of chemical equations...MASS is CONSERVED...and the usual rigmarole is to balance the carbons as carbon dioxide, balance the hydrogens as water, and THEN balance the oxygens.

In a more familiar context, when we present cash to pay our groceries, the value of the cash is EQUAL to the value of the groceries PLUS the CHANGE we receive from the cashier. Likewise in a bank, for every credit there is a corresponding debit....and if this is not the case customers in a supermarket or in a bank would VERY soon notice and raise a rumpus.

For even numbered alkanes we have to double the equation to get whole numbers...

`2C_4H_10(g) +13O_2(g) rarr 8CO_2(g) + 10H_2O(l) +Delta_1`

Alternatively...

`C_4H_10(g) +13/2O_2(g) rarr 4CO_2(g) + 5H_2O(l)+Delta_2`

How does `Delta_1` relate to `Delta_2`? Are they the same...?