Question

How do you write the balanced equation for the combustion of propane?

Answer 1

Hint: Combustion is a process in which a substance is subject to burnt in the presence of oxygen gas and produces carbon dioxide gas and water. Combustion of propane is also known by the burning of propane.

Complete answer:
> Propane comes under the category of alkanes and name propane suggested that in it three carbon atoms are present. So, chemical formula of propane is ${{\text{C}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}}$ and in this molecule only single bonds are present.
> During the combustion of propane, propane is burned in the presence of oxygen and produces water and carbon dioxide gas.
> Combustion reaction of propane is shown as follow:
\[{{\text{C}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}}{\text{ + }}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}} \to {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O + C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}\]
> Above given chemical equation of combustion of propane is not present in balanced form. So, for balancing the equation we have to manage the molecularity of each atom in the right hand side as well as on the left hand side of the chemical reaction.
> Now the balanced equation of the combustion of propane is as follow:
\[{{\text{C}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{8}}}{\text{ + 5}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}} \to 4{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O + 3C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}\]

Additional information:
Generally propane is present in the gaseous state in nature, but in compressible pressure propane is present in the liquid state. Propane is used as fuel for domestic purposes also.

Note: Here some of you may write the wrong balanced equation, if you think that molecularity and oxidation state of any species is the same thing. So, always balanced the equation by keeping in mind that oxidation value and molecularity are different.