The equation 2C₄H₁₀ + 10O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂0 has an imbalance in the carbon atoms, making it incorrect.
How to determine incorrect part?
On the reactant side, there is 2 C₄H₁₀ molecules, which contribute a total of 8 carbon atoms (2 molecules × 4 carbon atoms per molecule).
On the product side, there is 8 CO₂ molecules, which also contribute 8 carbon atoms (8 molecules × 1 carbon atom per molecule).
However, there is 10 H₂O molecules, which contribute 20 hydrogen atoms (10 molecules × 2 hydrogen atoms per molecule). This doesn't match the 10 oxygen atoms from the 10 O₂ molecules on the reactant side.
Therefore, the incorrect part of the equation is the coefficient for H₂O. To balance the equation, adjust the coefficient so that the total number of hydrogen atoms on both sides is equal.
Complete question:
Select the correct compound.
Reactants undergo chemical reaction to form products. This chemical equation represents one such reaction. The coefficient for one of the
reactants or products is incorrect. Which part of the chemical equation is incorrect?
2C₄H₁₀ + 10O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂0