Given the following intermediate chemical equations:1) C_2H_6 + O_2 → CO_2 + H_2O2) 2C_2H_6 + 7O_2 → 4CO_2 + 6H_2OWhich of the following is the correctly balanced final chemical equation for the complete combustion of ethane (C_2H_6)?

• A. 2C_2H_6 + 6O_2 → 4CO_2 + 6H_2O
• B. C_2H_6 + O_2 → CO_2 + H_2O
• C. 2C_2H_6 + 7O_2 → 4CO_2 + 6H_2O
• D. C_2H_6 + 3O_2 → 2CO_2 + 3H_2O

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the combustion reaction of ethane (C_2H_6). The general form for complete combustion of a hydrocarbon is: hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation for the combustion of ethane: \(C\_2H\_6 + O\_2 \rightarrow CO\_2 + H\_2O\).
3. Balance the carbon atoms first. Since ethane has 2 carbon atoms, balance CO_2 by placing a coefficient of 2 on CO_2: \(C\_2H\_6 + O\_2 \rightarrow 2CO\_2 + H\_2O\).
4. Balance the hydrogen atoms next. Ethane has 6 hydrogen atoms, so place a coefficient of 3 on H_2O to balance hydrogen: \(C\_2H\_6 + O\_2 \rightarrow 2CO\_2 + 3H\_2O\).
5. Finally, balance the oxygen atoms. On the right side, there are \$2 \times 2 = 4\( oxygen atoms from CO_2 and \)3 \times 1 = 3\( oxygen atoms from H_2O, totaling 7 oxygen atoms. Since O_2 is diatomic, place a coefficient of \)\frac{7}{2}\( on O_2: \)C\_2H\_6 + \frac{7}{2}O\_2 \rightarrow 2CO\_2 + 3H\_2O\(. To avoid fractional coefficients, multiply the entire equation by 2 to get the balanced equation: \)2C\_2H\_6 + 7O\_2 \rightarrow 4CO\_2 + 6H\_2O$.