- #1
FTCC.student
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I know this is elementary stuff, but I'm in Gen Chem 1 and this is the only thing I am having trouble with. I am fine balancing most equations, but when there are odd numbers of certain elements I get sort of confused. For example:
C2H6 + O2 [itex]\rightarrow[/itex] CO2 + H2O
I have tried several times, but the closest I could get was:
2C2H6 + 5O2 [itex]\rightarrow[/itex] 2CO2 + 6H2O
It is the Oxygen andHydrogen being uneven that is screwing me up. Right away I realize I have 3 Oxygen on the right and 2 on the left, so the first thing I tried to do was make both sides have 6 oxygen...
C2H6 + 3O2 [itex]\rightarrow[/itex] CO2 + 4H2O
But then that leaves me with 8 Hydrogen on the right, and only 6 on the left...I can't think of any ways to get that 6 to equal 8! Then I tried for 12 Oxygen on both sides instead of 6...then my problem is still Hydrogen.
So maybe y'all see what I'm confused about...like I said, this is the only thing I am having trouble with so far in Gen Chem is balancing this specific type of equation, and we have our first test on Tuesday! So hopefully someone can help :)
C2H6 + O2 [itex]\rightarrow[/itex] CO2 + H2O
The Attempt at a Solution
I have tried several times, but the closest I could get was:
2C2H6 + 5O2 [itex]\rightarrow[/itex] 2CO2 + 6H2O
It is the Oxygen andHydrogen being uneven that is screwing me up. Right away I realize I have 3 Oxygen on the right and 2 on the left, so the first thing I tried to do was make both sides have 6 oxygen...
C2H6 + 3O2 [itex]\rightarrow[/itex] CO2 + 4H2O
But then that leaves me with 8 Hydrogen on the right, and only 6 on the left...I can't think of any ways to get that 6 to equal 8! Then I tried for 12 Oxygen on both sides instead of 6...then my problem is still Hydrogen.
So maybe y'all see what I'm confused about...like I said, this is the only thing I am having trouble with so far in Gen Chem is balancing this specific type of equation, and we have our first test on Tuesday! So hopefully someone can help :)