Question

Use the following information to answer the next question.

An unbalanced chemical equation representing a combustion reaction is:
[C₄H₂(g) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + H₂O(g)]
Balance the entities on the reactant and product side in the given equation, using whole number coefficients.
a) (2C₄H₂(g) + 11O₂(g) → 8CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(g))
b) (C₄H₂(g) + 5O₂(g) → 4CO₂(g) + H₂O(g))
c) (2C₄H₂(g) + 13O₂(g) → 8CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(g))
d) (C₄H₂(g) + 6O₂(g) → 4CO₂(g) + H₂O(g))

Answer 1

The balanced equation is 2C₄H₂(g) + 11O₂(g) → 8CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(g), so the correct answer is a) (2C₄H₂(g) + 11O₂(g) → 8CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(g)).

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced equation is 2C₄H₂(g) + 11O₂(g) → 8CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(g), so the correct answer is a) (2C₄H₂(g) + 11O₂(g) → 8CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(g)). Balancing a chemical equation requires practice and common sense. It is important to double-check that the formulas of the reactants and products are written correctly and then ensure that the coefficients are whole numbers that balance the number of atoms on both sides of the equation.