Propane gas, C₃H₈, undergoes combustion with oxygen gas to produce carbon dioxide and water gases. Propane has a density of 2.02 g/L at room temperature. (7.4, 7.8)a. Write the balanced chemical equation.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the combustion of propane: Propane (C₃H₈) and oxygen (O₂) are the reactants, while carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) are the products.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: C₃H₈ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O.
3. Balance the carbon atoms: There are 3 carbon atoms in C₃H₈, so place a coefficient of 3 in front of CO₂: C₃H₈ + O₂ → 3CO₂ + H₂O.
4. Balance the hydrogen atoms: There are 8 hydrogen atoms in C₃H₈, so place a coefficient of 4 in front of H₂O: C₃H₈ + O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O.
5. Balance the oxygen atoms: Count the total oxygen atoms needed on the product side (3*2 from CO₂ and 4*1 from H₂O), and adjust the coefficient of O₂ accordingly on the reactant side.

Key Concepts

Balanced Chemical Equation

A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical reaction where the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is crucial for obeying the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. Balancing involves adjusting coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the total number of each type of atom is equal.

Combustion Reaction

A combustion reaction is a type of chemical reaction where a substance (usually a hydrocarbon) reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy in the form of heat and light. In the case of propane (C₃H₈), the combustion process involves breaking the C-H and C-C bonds in propane and forming new bonds in CO₂ and H₂O. Understanding this reaction is essential for writing the correct balanced equation.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the area of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows chemists to calculate how much of each substance is needed or produced in a reaction based on the balanced equation. In the context of the combustion of propane, stoichiometry helps determine the exact ratios of propane and oxygen required to produce a specific amount of carbon dioxide and water.