balancing equations?

Question

What is the answer to:

c2h7oh -> H2O + CO2

and how did you get it?
thanks!

Answer 1

This the burning of ethanol (I think) because C2H7 doesn't make any sense)

C2H5OH + 3O2 --> 3H20 + 2CO2

Answer 2

Well, first of all I think you are trying to solve the combsution reaction of an alcohol, C2H7OH. This means that in the reactant side you need O2.

Thus the balanced reaction is :

2 C2H7OH + 7O2 -----> 4C02 + 8H20

Check the number of atoms:
C = 4 on either side.
H = 16 on either side
O = 2 plus 14 on the left side = 16
on the right side is 8 plus 8 = 16

To start balance the H first, then C. and you get something like

C2H7OH + ?O2 -----> 2C02 + 4H20

then, the trick is to make the oxygen as even multiples, which can happen if you multiply by 2.

I hope this C2H7OH exists but technically you may be referring to C2H5OH or C3H7OH. Either way, use the technique above of balancing the H, then C then last, O.

Answer 3

c2h7oh --> h2o + co2
2c, 8h, 1o on left; 1c, 2h, 3o on right
Balance the hydrogen
c2h7oh ---> 4h2o + co2
2c, 8h, 1o on left; 1c, 8h, 6o on right
add carbon to right to balance carbon
c2h7oh ---> 4h2o + 2co2
2c, 8h, 1o on left; 2c, 8h, 6o on right
Equation does not balance. You need oxygen molecules on the left.
c2h7oh + 5o ----> 4h2o +2co2
5o is not proper for oxygen since it forms o2 molecules
Double everything for final form:
2c2h7oh + 5o2 ---> 8h2o + 4co2

Reaction can only take place in the presence of oxygen