How to Balance C2H6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O

To balance the chemical equation C₂H₆ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O, follow these steps:

1. Start by counting the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation.
2. On the left side, you have:
   • Carbon (C): 2 (from C₂H₆)
   • Hydrogen (H): 6 (from C₂H₆)
   • Oxygen (O): 2 (from O₂)
3. On the right side, initially, you have:
   • Carbon (C): 1 (from CO₂)
   • Hydrogen (H): 2 (from H₂O)
   • Oxygen (O): 3 (1 from CO₂ and 1 from H₂O)

To balance the equation, adjust the coefficients:

• Place a coefficient of 2 in front of CO₂ to balance the carbon atoms:
  
  C₂H₆ + O₂ → 2 CO₂ + H₂O
• Now, you have 2 carbon atoms on the right side.

• Next, to balance the hydrogen atoms, put a coefficient of 3 in front of H₂O:
  
  C₂H₆ + O₂ → 2 CO₂ + 3 H₂O
• This gives you 6 hydrogen atoms on the right side.

This changes the oxygen count on the right side to:

• Oxygen from 2 CO₂: 2 x 2 = 4
• Oxygen from 3 H₂O: 3 x 1 = 3
• Total: 4 + 3 = 7 oxygen atoms

Now, you must balance the oxygen atoms on the left side. Since O₂ provides 2 oxygen atoms each, you need to place a coefficient of 7/2 (or 3.5) in front of O₂:

C₂H₆ + 7/2 O₂ → 2 CO₂ + 3 H₂O

To avoid a fraction, you can multiply the entire equation by 2:

2 C₂H₆ + 7 O₂ → 4 CO₂ + 6 H₂O

Now, the equation is balanced with all atoms equal on both sides:

• Left side: 4 C, 12 H, and 14 O
• Right side: 4 C (from 4 CO₂) + 12 H (from 6 H₂O) + 14 O (4 CO₂ + 6 H₂O)

This simple approach allows you to achieve the correct balanced equation.