Writing Reactions

[Molly Posta 1H]

One of the questions from the balancing equations post-assessment says:

During a summer camping weekend 4 moles of butane (C4H10) gas were used for cooking. Chose the right balanced equation for the combustion of 4 moles of butane gas. What is the net number of moles of gas produced?

I'm confused about how to write the right side of the reaction. Would it be 4C4H10 + O2, or would you also need to write 4 moles of O2? I tried it the first way and wasn't able to balance the equation, so I'm not sure.

[KatarinaReid_3H]

It would be 4C4H10 because it is 4 moles and the stoichiometric coefficients represent numbers of moles. Because oxygen is usually in excess for combustion rxns, then you would have to balance the equation before knowing its coefficient.

[Trevor_Ramsey_3H]

Hi,

I think he said in one of his videos that whenever you have a combustion reaction, the products are always CO2 and H2O. So this should help you balance the equation with 4 moles of butane.

[angelasavage]

Hi,

I think he said in one of his videos that whenever you have a combustion reaction, the products are always CO2 and H2O. So this should help you balance the equation with 4 moles of butane.

Here to confirm this! In a combustion reaction, it's always the compound reacting with O2, and CO2 and H2O are always in the products of the reaction.