Among the following equations, which one is in a balanced state?

A. C3H8 + 11 O2 → 3 CO2 + 8 H2O
B. C3H8 + 3 O2 → CO2 + H2O
C. C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O
D. 2 C3H8 + 4 O2 → 2 CO2 + 4 H2O

1 answer

To determine which of the given equations is balanced, we need to count the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.

Let's analyze each option:

A. C3H8 + 11 O2 → 3 CO2 + 8 H2O

  • On the left:
    • C: 3 (from C3H8)
    • H: 8 (from C3H8)
    • O: 22 (from 11 O2)
  • On the right:
    • C: 3 (from 3 CO2)
    • H: 16 (from 8 H2O)
    • O: 22 (from 3 CO2 + 8 H2O)
  • The total counts:
    • C: 3, H: 8 left vs. C: 3, H: 16 right (not balanced)

B. C3H8 + 3 O2 → CO2 + H2O

  • On the left:
    • C: 3 (from C3H8)
    • H: 8 (from C3H8)
    • O: 6 (from 3 O2)
  • On the right:
    • C: 1 (from CO2)
    • H: 2 (from H2O)
    • O: 3 (from CO2 + H2O)
  • The total counts:
    • C: 3, H: 8 left vs. C: 1, H: 2 right (not balanced)

C. C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O

  • On the left:
    • C: 3 (from C3H8)
    • H: 8 (from C3H8)
    • O: 10 (from 5 O2)
  • On the right:
    • C: 3 (from 3 CO2)
    • H: 8 (from 4 H2O)
    • O: 10 (from 3 CO2 + 4 H2O)
  • The total counts:
    • C: 3, H: 8, O: 10 left vs. C: 3, H: 8, O: 10 right (balanced)

D. 2 C3H8 + 4 O2 → 2 CO2 + 4 H2O

  • On the left:
    • C: 6 (from 2 C3H8)
    • H: 16 (from 2 C3H8)
    • O: 8 (from 4 O2)
  • On the right:
    • C: 2 (from 2 CO2)
    • H: 8 (from 4 H2O)
    • O: 8 (from 2 CO2 + 4 H2O)
  • The total counts:
    • C: 6, H: 16 left vs. C: 2, H: 8 right (not balanced)

The only balanced equation from the options provided is:

C. C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O