# What is the chemical equation for the combustion of butane?

Nov 26, 2015

Butane + oxygen $\rightarrow$ carbon dioxide + water

#### Explanation:

${C}_{4} {H}_{10} \left(g\right) + \frac{13}{2} {O}_{2} \left(g\right) \rightarrow 4 C {O}_{2} \left(g\right) + 5 {H}_{2} O \left(g\right)$

Is the equation above balanced? How do you know? How would you remove the $\frac{13}{2}$ coefficient for dioxygen?

The reaction above represents complete combustion. Suppose I wanted to model a reaction where some of the hydrocarbon were combusted to $C O$; how would you represent this?

Nov 26, 2015

color(red)(2)"C"_4"H"_10("g") + color(red)(13)"O"_2("g")$\rightarrow$$\textcolor{red}{8} \text{CO"_2("g") + color(red)(10)"H"_2"O(g)}$
The chemical formula of butane is $\text{C"_4"H"_10}$. The combustion of butane is a reaction between butane and oxygen gas that produces carbon dioxide gas and water.
color(red)(2)"C"_4"H"_10("g") + color(red)(13)"O"_2("g")$\rightarrow$$\textcolor{red}{8} \text{CO"_2("g") + color(red)(10)"H"_2"O(g)}$