Balance the following chemical equation:

C3H7OH(l) + O2(g) CO2(g) + H2O(g)

2 answers

C3H7OH + O2 >> CO2 + H2O
start with the most complicated formula, the leftmost.

C3H7OH+ O2 >> 3CO2 + H2O
then the H
C3H7OH+ O2 >> 3CO2 + 4H2O
then the O. Start on the right, since you don't want to mess with those coefficents. You have 10 O
C3H7OH + 5O2>>3CO2 + 4H2O Notice it does not balance because of the OH.
So, go back and double the C3H7OH.
2C3H7OH+ O2 >> 6CO2 + 8H2O
2C3H7OH+ 6O2>> 3CO2+8H2O
check that
2C3H7OH + 9O2 >> 6CO2+8H2O