What is the coefficient of O2 when balancing the equation: C4H10 + O2 → CO2 + H2O? (2023)

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Q: What is the coefficient of O2 when balancing the equation: C4H10 + O2 → CO2 + H2O? (2023)

Solution: The balanced equation is C4H10 + 6O2 → 4CO2 + 5H2O, so the coefficient of O2 is 6.

Steps: 9

Step 1: Write down the unbalanced equation: C4H10 + O2 → CO2 + H2O.
Step 2: Count the number of carbon (C) atoms in C4H10. There are 4 carbon atoms.
Step 3: Since each CO2 has 1 carbon atom, we need 4 CO2 to balance the carbon. So, we write 4 in front of CO2: C4H10 + O2 → 4CO2 + H2O.
Step 4: Count the number of hydrogen (H) atoms in C4H10. There are 10 hydrogen atoms.
Step 5: Each H2O has 2 hydrogen atoms, so we need 5 H2O to balance the hydrogen. We write 5 in front of H2O: C4H10 + O2 → 4CO2 + 5H2O.
Step 6: Now, count the total number of oxygen (O) atoms needed on the right side. From 4CO2, we have 4 * 2 = 8 oxygen atoms, and from 5H2O, we have 5 * 1 = 5 oxygen atoms. So, total O = 8 + 5 = 13.
Step 7: On the left side, O2 has 2 oxygen atoms per molecule. To get 13 oxygen atoms, we need 13 / 2 = 6.5 O2. However, we cannot have a fraction in a balanced equation.
Step 8: To eliminate the fraction, multiply the entire equation by 2: 2C4H10 + 13O2 → 8CO2 + 10H2O.
Step 9: Now, we can see that the coefficient of O2 is 13.