Question

Balance the following equation with the smallest set of whole numbers. C₄H₁₀ + O₂ => CO₂ + H₂O What is the coefficient for CO₂ in the balanced equation?

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4

Answer 1

The coefficient for CO2 in the balanced equation C4H10 + O2 => CO2 + H2O is 8.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance the given chemical equation C4H10 + O2 => CO2 + H2O, we must ensure that the number of each type of atom on the reactant side is equal to the number on the product side. After balancing the carbons and hydrogens first, we can deduce that 4 carbons on the reactant side would lead to 4 CO2 molecules on the product side. As follows:

2C4H10 + 13O2 => 8CO2 + 10H2O

The coefficient for CO2 in the balanced equation is thus 8.