Question

Propane burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and steam. The unbalanced equation for this reaction is: C3H8 + O2 → CO2 + H2O Use coefficients to balance this equation.
A) C3H8 + 3 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O
B) C3H8 + O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O
C) C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O
D) 2 C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O

Answer 1

That would be choice C

C3H8 + 5 O2 -->  3 CO2 + 4 H2O

Answer 2

Answer;

C) C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O  

Explanation;

• Propane is an alkane that burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and steam, a reaction called combustion.
• The Law of conservation of mass states that during any physical or chemical change, the total mass of the products is equal to the total mass of reactants provided.
• To obey the law of conservation of mass any given chemical equation has to be balanced. This is by putting appropriate coefficients to make sure the number of atoms of each element are equal on either side.
• Thus; the balanced equation will be; C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O