Question

Balance the following chemical equation (if necessary):

C5H10O(I) + O2(g) ==> H2O(g) + CO2(g)

Answer 1

Answer:

C₅H₁₀O (l) + 7 O₂ (g) --> 5 H₂O (g) + 5 CO₂ (g)

Explanation:

In the original equation: C₅H₁₀O (l) + O₂ (g) --> H₂O (g) + CO₂ (g)

Reactants: 5 carbon, 10 hydrogen, 3 oxygen

Products: 1 carbon, 2 hydrogen, 3 oxygen

Cleary, the equation is not balanced. When deciding which element to balance first, avoid balancing elements that are present in more than one molecule on either side (ex. the oxygen on the reactant side). In this case, I started with carbon. Once the carbon was balanced, I balanced the hydrogen, keeping in mind the new coefficients I added when balancing the carbons. Lastly, I balanced the oxygen.

The balanced equation: C₅H₁₀O (l) + 7 O₂ (g) --> 5 H₂O (g) + 5 CO₂ (g)

Reactants: 5 carbon, 10 hydrogen, 15 oxygen

Products: 5 carbon, 10 hydrogen, 15 oxygen