Is this equation completely balanced?

Question

2C8H8 + 25O2
8CO2 + 18H2O
A.
No, because the number of carbon, hydrogen & oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation are not equal.
B.
No, because the number of oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation are not equal.
C.
Yes, because all of the coefficients are in their lowest whole number ratio.
D.
No, because the number of hydrogen atoms on both sides of the equation are not equal.
E.
Yes, because the number of products is equal to the number of reactants.

Answer 1

To determine if the equation is completely balanced, we need to check the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:

Given equation: \[ 2C_8H_8 + 25O_2 \rightarrow 8CO_2 + 18H_2O \]

Counting the atoms:

• Left side (reactants):

  • Carbon (C): \( 2 \times 8 = 16 \)
  • Hydrogen (H): \( 2 \times 8 = 16 \)
  • Oxygen (O): \( 25 \times 2 = 50 \)

• Right side (products):

  • From \( 8CO_2 \):
    • Carbon (C): \( 8 \)
    • Oxygen (O): \( 8 \times 2 = 16 \)
  • From \( 18H_2O \):
    • Hydrogen (H): \( 18 \times 2 = 36 \)
    • Oxygen (O): \( 18 \times 1 = 18 \)

Total on the right side:

• Carbon (C): \( 8 \)
• Hydrogen (H): \( 36 \)
• Oxygen (O): \( 16 + 18 = 34 \)

Summary of counts:

• For the left side:
  • C: 16
  • H: 16
  • O: 50
• For the right side:
  • C: 8
  • H: 36
  • O: 34

Now, comparing both sides:

• Carbon: 16 (left) vs 8 (right) - not equal
• Hydrogen: 16 (left) vs 36 (right) - not equal
• Oxygen: 50 (left) vs 34 (right) - not equal

Since the number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms on both sides are not equal, we can conclude:

The correct answer is:

A. No, because the number of carbon, hydrogen & oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation are not equal.