Final answer:
To balance the equation C4H7OH + O2 → CO2 + H2O, start by balancing the carbon and hydrogen atoms. The balanced equation is 2 C4H7OH + 11 O2 → 8 CO2 + 10 H2O.
Step-by-step explanation:
Start with writing the correct formulae of reactants and products in a chemical equation form:
C4H7OH + O2 → CO2 + H2O
To balance the equation, you can start by balancing the carbon and hydrogen atoms on both sides.
Reactants: C = 4, H = 10, O = 2
Products: C = 1, H = 2, O = 3
Since the carbon and hydrogen atoms are not balanced, you need to add coefficients to each compound to achieve balance. Here is the balanced equation:
2 C4H7OH + 11 O2 → 8 CO2 + 10 H2O