What is the balanced equation for the complete combustion of "C"_2"H"_6"?

1 Answer
Meave60
Apr 12, 2017

Balanced Equation:

"2C"_2"H"_6 + "7O"_2rarr"4CO"_2 + "6H"_2"O"

Explanation:

General rules for balancing combustion equations:

  1. Balance the carbons: If the alkane has an even number of carbon atoms, place a coefficient of 2 in front of its formula, then balance the carbons.
  2. Balance the hydrogens.
  3. Balance the oxygens.

Balance the carbons. Since the formula for the alkane "C"_2"H"_6" has an even number of carbon atoms, place a coefficient of 2 in front of its formula first. Next place a 4 in front of the "CO"_2".

color(red)("2")"C"_2"H"_6 + "O"_2rarrcolor(red)("4")"CO"_2 + "H"_2"O"

Balance the hydrogens.
Place a 6 in front of the "H"_2"O".

"2C"_2"H"_6 + "O"_2rarr"4CO"_2 + color(red)("6")"H"_2"O"

Balance the oxygens.
Place a 7 in front of the "O"_2".

"2C"_2"H"_6 + color(red)("7")"O"_2rarr"4CO"_2 + "6H"_2"O"

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