3 attempts left Check my work Click in the answer box to activate the palette. Write the balanced chemical equation where liquid butane burns in oxygen gas to form carbon dioxide gas and water vapor. Use the smallest whole number coefficients. Indicate the states of the reactants and products.

2 C₄H₁₀ (l) + 13 O₂ (g) ⇄ 8 CO₂ (g) + 10 H₂O (g)

Explanation:

When a substance burns we talk about a combustion reaction. When combustion is complete the products are carbon dioxide and water, like in this case. The equation is:

C₄H₁₀ (l) + O₂ (g) ⇄ CO₂ (g) + H₂O (g)

First, we balance the element with the largest stoichiometric coefficient (C).

C₄H₁₀ (l) + O₂ (g) ⇄ 4 CO₂ (g) + H₂O (g)

Then, we balance H because it is in just 1 compound on each side.

C₄H₁₀ (l) + O₂ (g) ⇄ 4 CO₂ (g) + 5 H₂O (g)

Finally, we balance O.

C₄H₁₀ (l) + 6.5 O₂ (g) ⇄ 4 CO₂ (g) + 5 H₂O (g)

Since we want the smallest whole numbers, we multiply all coefficients by 2.

2 C₄H₁₀ (l) + 13 O₂ (g) ⇄ 8 CO₂ (g) + 10 H₂O (g)