Question

Balance this equation. If a coefficient of "1" is required, choose "blank" for that box. C2H6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O

Answer 1

Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation,

C₂H₆ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

There are 2 C at left hand side and 1 carbon at right hand side. So, multiply CO₂ by 2 to balance C atoms at both side. So,

C₂H₆ + O₂ → 2 CO₂ + H₂O

Now, count number of H atoms at both sides. There are 6 H atoms at left hand side and 2 at right hand side. Multiply H₂O by 3 to balance H atoms.


C₂H₆ + O₂ → 2 CO₂ + 3 H₂O

At last, balance O atoms. There are 2 O atoms at left hand side and 3 O atoms at right hand side. Multiply O₂ with 1.5 (i.e. 3/2) to balance O atoms. i.e.

C₂H₆ + 3/2 O₂ → 2 CO₂ + 3 H₂O

Hence, the equation is balanced. If you want to make equation fraction free then multiply all equation with 2. i.e.

( C₂H₆ + 3/2 O₂ → 2 CO₂ + 3 H₂O ) × 2

2 C₂H₆ + 3 O₂ → 4 CO₂ + 6 H₂O

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

In a balanced equation, number of atoms on both reactant and product side are equal.

For example,
`C_(2)H_(6) + O_(2) \rightarrow CO_(2) + H_(2)O`

Number of atoms present on reactant side are as follows.

C = 2

H = 6

O = 2

Number of atoms present on product side are as follows.

C = 1

H = 2

O = 3

Therefore, to balance this equation multiply
`C_(2)H_(6)` by 2 and multiply
`O_(2)` by 7 on reactant side. Whereas multiply
`CO_(2)` by 4 and multiply
`H_(2)O` by 6 on product side.

Therefore, the balanced chemical equation is as follows.

`2C_(2)H_(6) + 7O_(2) \rightarrow 4CO_(2) + 6H_(2)O`