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Chemistry 18 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Correct Equation?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

\[2C5H12+8O2=5CO2+6H2O\]

OpenStudy (jfraser):

the reaction's not balanced. See how you have 2x5 carbon atoms as reactants, but only 5 as a product?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

How could I fix it? That's the problem..

OpenStudy (anonymous):

@JFraser

OpenStudy (abb0t):

You put the proper coefficient in front of the molecule to balance it. Sometimes, it helps to write a table of how many you have on each side.

OpenStudy (abb0t):

|dw:1420826329933:dw|

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Wait. Will the new equation be: C5H12 + 8 O2 = 5 CO2 + 6 H2O

OpenStudy (abb0t):

yES.

OpenStudy (jfraser):

it's a common mistake a lot of people make when they're starting out with balancing chemical reactions, but you shouldn't put an equals sign in between the reactants and products. A reaction arrow \(\rightarrow\) belongs between the two. The reaction arrow says that the reactants \(change\) to form the products, not that one side "equals" the other side

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