How do you balance the following reaction: #?C_6H_6 + ?O_2 -> ?CO_2 + ?H_2O#

1 Answer
Dwight
Jan 12, 2017

Start with a "2" in front of the benzene #(C_6H_6)# and you should reach this result

#2C_6H_6 + 15O_2 rarr12 CO_2+6H_2O#

Explanation:

The problem that can arise in trying to balance a combustion equation is the fact that water has only one O atom, but oxygen gas supplies them in pairs. The "trick" to getting the job done is to make certain the coefficient of water is an even number, even if this means you don't start with the usual technique of placing a "1" in front of a compound.

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