Question

When the following reaction is balanced with the lowest possible whole number coefficients, what is the coefficient in front of oxygen (O2)?

C2H6 + O2 yields CO2 + H2O

Answer 1

2
3
5
7

Answer 2

@hannah1521 I THINK ITS 2

Answer 3

On the left we have 2 carbons so we need two on the right so now we have 2CO2
On the left we have 6 hydrogens so we need six on the left so now we have 3H2O
Current chemical formula: C2H6 + O2 yields 2CO2 + 3H2O
On the right side we have 7 oxygen atoms so we need 7 on the left but it's O2 so the chemical formula now is:
C2H6 + 3.5O2 yields 2CO2 + 3H2O
Since you need whole numbers as the coefficients you need to multiply it all by 2 so the balanced chemical formula is:
2C2H6 + 7O2 yields 4CO2 + 6H2O
So the coefficient in front of the oxygen is 7

Answer 4

Thank you!

Answer 5

@taramgrant0543664 I thought it was 7 I new I was right thx

Answer 6

No problem!!

Answer 7

@taramgrant0543664 der u go I medal u, I think u deserve it

Answer 8

Thanks @Peaches15!