Answer:
The coefficient of oxygen in this balanced reaction is 5 ( option B)
Step-by-step explanation:
Propane = C3H8
The process of combustion = adding oxygen (O2)
In this process propane will be consumed and CO2 and H2O will be produced.
C3H8 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
First we'll balance on both sides all H-atoms: left we have 8x H and on the right side we have 2x H so we have to multiply the right side ( H2O) by 4.
This gives us:
C3H8 + O2 → CO2 + 4H2O
Now we have on both side 8x H
On the left side we have 3x C, and 1x C on the right side. So we have to multiply CO2 on the right side by 3
This gives us: C3H8 + O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O
On the left side we have 2x O but on the right side we have 10x O
We have to multiply O2 on the left side by 5, to equal this.
So finally, we'll have: C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O
We can see that the coefficient of oxygen in this balanced reaction is 5 ( option B)