Consider the reaction of ethane (C2H6)with oxygen to yield H2O and Co2 represented by the unbalance equation

Answer 1

C2H6 + O2 -> H2O + CO2

To balance the equation, we need to make sure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.

C2H6 + O2 -> H2O + CO2

Starting with carbon, there are two carbon atoms on the left side and one carbon atom in CO2 on the right side. We can balance this by putting a 2 in front of CO2.

C2H6 + O2 -> H2O + 2CO2

Next, moving to hydrogen, there are six hydrogen atoms on the left side and two hydrogen atoms in H2O on the right side. We can balance this by putting a 3 in front of H2O.

C2H6 + O2 -> 3H2O + 2CO2

Finally, looking at oxygen, there are 2 oxygen atoms in each water molecule, so we have 6 oxygen atoms on the right side from the H2O. There are 2 oxygen atoms in each CO2 molecule, so we have 4 oxygen atoms on the right side from the CO2. This gives us a total of 10 oxygen atoms on the right side. To balance this, we need to add 5 molecules of O2 on the left side.

C2H6 + 5O2 -> 3H2O + 2CO2

Now the equation is balanced, with 2 carbon atoms, 6 hydrogen atoms, and 10 oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation.