How do you balance C8H18+O2=CO2+H2O?

Question

Please answer by today or tomorrow.

Answer 1

This is a combustion reaction. The easiest way to balance combustion reactions is to balance the carbons first, then the hydrogens and finally the oxygens.

C₈H₁₈ + O₂ ==> CO₂ + H₂O

Balancing C first you get: C₈H₁₈ + O₂ ==> 8CO₂ + H₂O

Balancing H next you get: C₈H₁₈ + O₂ ==> 8CO₂ + 9H₂O

Finally, balance O to get: C₈H₁₈ + 12.5O₂ ==> 8CO₂ + 9H₂O

Since you have fractions of O₂, simply multiply all coefficients by 2 to get....

2C₈H₁₈ + 25O₂ ===> 16CO₂ + 18H₂O -> Correctly balanced equation