Consider The Unbalanced Equation For The Oxidation Of Butene:${ C_4H_8 + 6O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O }$For Each Molecule Of ${ C_4H_8 }$ That Reacts, How Many Molecules Of Carbon Dioxide And Water Are Produced?A. Two Carbon

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Chemical equations are a fundamental concept in chemistry, representing the transformation of one or more substances into another. However, not all chemical equations are balanced, meaning that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side does not equal the number of atoms of each element on the product side. In this article, we will explore the concept of balancing chemical equations, focusing on the oxidation of butene as a case study.

What is a Balanced Chemical Equation?

A balanced chemical equation is a representation of a chemical reaction where the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side equals the number of atoms of each element on the product side. This is achieved by adjusting the coefficients of the reactants and products, which are the numbers in front of the formulas of the substances involved in the reaction.

The Unbalanced Equation for the Oxidation of Butene

The unbalanced equation for the oxidation of butene is:

C4H8+6O2→CO2+H2O{ C_4H_8 + 6O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O }

In this equation, butene (C4H8) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). However, as it stands, the equation is not balanced.

Balancing the Equation

To balance the equation, we need to adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products. Let's start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

  • On the reactant side, we have:
    • 4 carbon atoms (C4H8)
    • 8 hydrogen atoms (C4H8)
    • 12 oxygen atoms (6O2)
  • On the product side, we have:
    • 1 carbon atom (CO2)
    • 2 hydrogen atoms (H2O)
    • 3 oxygen atoms (CO2) + 1 oxygen atom (H2O) = 4 oxygen atoms

To balance the equation, we need to adjust the coefficients so that the number of atoms of each element on both sides is equal. Let's start with the carbon atoms. We have 4 carbon atoms on the reactant side, so we need to multiply the product side by 4 to get 4 carbon atoms.

C4H8+6O2→4CO2+H2O{ C_4H_8 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 4CO_2 + H_2O }

Now, let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

  • On the reactant side, we have:
    • 4 carbon atoms (C4H8)
    • 8 hydrogen atoms (C4H8)
    • 12 oxygen atoms (6O2)
  • On the product side, we have:
    • 4 carbon atoms (4CO2)
    • 2 hydrogen atoms (H2O)
    • 16 oxygen atoms (4CO2) + 1 oxygen atom (H2O) = 17 oxygen atoms

We still have an imbalance in the number of oxygen atoms. To balance the equation, we need to multiply the reactant side by 2 to get 24 oxygen atoms.

2C4H8+12O2→4CO2+2H2O{ 2C_4H_8 + 12O_2 \rightarrow 4CO_2 + 2H_2O }

Now, let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

  • On the reactant side, we have:
    • 8 carbon atoms (2C4H8)
    • 16 hydrogen atoms (2C4H8)
    • 24 oxygen atoms (12O2)
  • On the product side, we have:
    • 4 carbon atoms (4CO2)
    • 4 hydrogen atoms (2H2O)
    • 16 oxygen atoms (4CO2) + 2 oxygen atoms (2H2O) = 18 oxygen atoms

We still have an imbalance in the number of oxygen atoms. To balance the equation, we need to multiply the product side by 1.33 to get 24 oxygen atoms. However, we cannot have a fraction of a molecule, so we need to multiply the entire equation by 2 to get rid of the fraction.

4C4H8+24O2→8CO2+4H2O{ 4C_4H_8 + 24O_2 \rightarrow 8CO_2 + 4H_2O }

Now, let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

  • On the reactant side, we have:
    • 16 carbon atoms (4C4H8)
    • 32 hydrogen atoms (4C4H8)
    • 48 oxygen atoms (24O2)
  • On the product side, we have:
    • 8 carbon atoms (8CO2)
    • 8 hydrogen atoms (4H2O)
    • 32 oxygen atoms (8CO2) + 4 oxygen atoms (4H2O) = 36 oxygen atoms

We still have an imbalance in the number of oxygen atoms. To balance the equation, we need to multiply the reactant side by 1.5 to get 72 oxygen atoms. However, we cannot have a fraction of a molecule, so we need to multiply the entire equation by 2 to get rid of the fraction.

8C4H8+48O2→16CO2+8H2O{ 8C_4H_8 + 48O_2 \rightarrow 16CO_2 + 8H_2O }

Now, let's count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

  • On the reactant side, we have:
    • 32 carbon atoms (8C4H8)
    • 64 hydrogen atoms (8C4H8)
    • 96 oxygen atoms (48O2)
  • On the product side, we have:
    • 16 carbon atoms (16CO2)
    • 16 hydrogen atoms (8H2O)
    • 64 oxygen atoms (16CO2) + 8 oxygen atoms (8H2O) = 72 oxygen atoms

Finally, we have a balanced equation.

Conclusion

Balancing chemical equations is a crucial step in understanding chemical reactions. By adjusting the coefficients of the reactants and products, we can ensure that the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation is equal. In this article, we explored the concept of balancing chemical equations, focusing on the oxidation of butene as a case study. We started with an unbalanced equation and gradually adjusted the coefficients to achieve a balanced equation. The final balanced equation is:

8C4H8+48O2→16CO2+8H2O{ 8C_4H_8 + 48O_2 \rightarrow 16CO_2 + 8H_2O }

This equation shows that for each molecule of butene (C4H8) that reacts, 16 molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) and 8 molecules of water (H2O) are produced.

References

  • Petrucci, R. H., Harwood, W. S., & Herring, F. G. (2006). General chemistry: Principles and modern applications. Pearson Prentice Hall.
  • Atkins, P. W., & De Paula, J. (2010). Physical chemistry. Oxford University Press.
  • Chang, R. (2010). Chemistry. McGraw-Hill.
    Balancing Chemical Equations: A Q&A Guide =============================================

In our previous article, we explored the concept of balancing chemical equations, focusing on the oxidation of butene as a case study. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about balancing chemical equations.

Q: What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?

A: The purpose of balancing chemical equations is to ensure that the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation is equal. This is crucial in understanding chemical reactions and predicting the products of a reaction.

Q: How do I know if a chemical equation is balanced?

A: To determine if a chemical equation is balanced, count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. If the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides, then the equation is balanced.

Q: What are the steps to balance a chemical equation?

A: The steps to balance a chemical equation are:

  1. Write the unbalanced equation.
  2. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
  3. Adjust the coefficients of the reactants and products to achieve a balanced equation.
  4. Check the balanced equation to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when balancing chemical equations?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when balancing chemical equations include:

  • Not counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
  • Not adjusting the coefficients of the reactants and products correctly.
  • Not checking the balanced equation to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides.

Q: Can I use a computer program to balance chemical equations?

A: Yes, there are many computer programs available that can balance chemical equations. Some popular programs include:

  • ChemDraw
  • ChemSketch
  • MarvinSketch
  • WebMO

Q: How do I know if a computer program is balancing a chemical equation correctly?

A: To ensure that a computer program is balancing a chemical equation correctly, follow these steps:

  1. Enter the unbalanced equation into the program.
  2. Check the program's output to ensure that the equation is balanced.
  3. Verify the balanced equation by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.

Q: Can I balance a chemical equation by hand?

A: Yes, you can balance a chemical equation by hand. However, this can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. It is often easier to use a computer program to balance a chemical equation.

Q: What are some real-world applications of balancing chemical equations?

A: Balancing chemical equations has many real-world applications, including:

  • Predicting the products of a chemical reaction.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of chemical reactions.
  • Designing chemical syntheses.
  • Developing new materials and technologies.

Conclusion

Balancing chemical equations is a crucial step in understanding chemical reactions. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your chemical equations are balanced and accurate. Whether you use a computer program or balance a chemical equation by hand, the key is to be careful and thorough in your work.

References

  • Petrucci, R. H., Harwood, W. S., & Herring, F. G. (2006). General chemistry: Principles and modern applications. Pearson Prentice Hall.
  • Atkins, P. W., & De Paula, J. (2010). Physical chemistry. Oxford University Press.
  • Chang, R. (2010). Chemistry. McGraw-Hill.