Answer: C3H8 + 5O2 = 3CO2 + 4H2O
Explanation:
1. First start by writing out the unbalanced equation
2. Count all the atoms on both sides of the equation
C = 3 C =1
H = 8 O=3
O = 2 H =1
3. Start by balancing the carbon atoms. What would it take to have 3 Carbon atoms on the left? You would add a 3 in front of the carbon atoms on the left side to match the carbon atoms on the right.
4. Now Try balancing the H atoms. You have 8 H atoms on the right and 1 H atom on the left. To balance these out you would need to add a 4 in front of the H atom which gives you 8 on both sides.
5. Now balance out the oxygen atoms. Since we added coefficients to the compounds on the left we now have 10 oxygen on the left 4x1=4 + 3x2=6 now balance out the right side of the equation by adding a 5 in front of the O2 5x2 Oxygen gives you 10.
I hope this helps