Ethanol burns in a spirit lamp: C₂H₅OH + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O.
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Ethanol burns in a spirit lamp: .
- Balance the equation.
- How many oxygen molecules are needed to burn molecules of ethanol?
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Balance an equation by changing only the numbers in front of the formulae, never a formula itself. Count each element on both sides. Start with an element in few formulae, keep a group such as together, and leave hydrogen and oxygen for last.
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Carbon. .
Step 2. Hydrogen. hydrogen atoms give .
Step 3. Oxygen. Right: . Ethanol brings , so must bring : .
Step 4. .
Step 5. (b) Each ethanol needs oxygen molecules: .
Answer: (a) . (b) molecules of oxygen.
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