Write the complete balanced equation for the following reaction:

$CH_3CH_2OH~+~O_2~\rightarrow~CO_2~+~H_2O$

Question

Write the complete balanced equation for the following reaction:

$CH_3CH_2OH~+~O_2~\rightarrow~CO_2~+~H_2O$

sleepyhead314 · Answer

step one: count up what you were given
you have  two C, 6 H, and 3 O on the left
one C, 2 H, and 3 O on the right

sleepyhead314 · Answer

it's then like finding the lowest common multiple in math
you have 6 H on the left
and to get 6 H on the right you have to multiply the  (H_(2) O) by 3
so  3(H_(2) O)  now means that you have... 1 C, 5 O, 6 H on the right

sleepyhead314 · Answer

follow so far?

sleepyhead314 · Answer

sleeeeepppppyyyyyy you there?

sleepyhead314 · Answer

always try to base it off of the the side that has more, don't be cutting stuff in half lol
then now we got Hs the same...
there are 2 Cs on the left and only 1 on the right
so multiply the one on the right by 2
2 (C O_(2))
so now the right side has    2 Cs, 7 Os, and 6 Hs

sleepyhead314 · Answer

but now the left has  3 Os and the right has 7 Os
that is an even difference
so we can multiply the  O_2  by...
ummm well if it was 2 that would only get us to 5
so try 3
3 (O_2)
so now we should have balanced both sides :)

sorry if it was a little confusing :/

sleepyhead314 · Answer

;-; such a one sided conversation

sleepyjess · Answer

IM SO SORRY!! I had to go do my science fair project that is due tomorrow and I just started it today

sleepyhead314 · Answer

lol well do you get this question now? @sleepyjess

sleepyjess · Answer

yeah i think so