Propane burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and steam. the unbalanced equation for this reaction is: c3h8 + o2 → co2 + h2o use coefficients to balance this equation. a) c3h8 + 3 o2 → 3 co2 + 4 h2o b) c3h8 + o2 → 3 co2 + 4 h2o c) c3h8 + 5 o2 → 3 co2 + 4 h2o d) 2 c3h8 + 5 o2 → 3 co2 + 4 h2o

The answer is; C

C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O

Balancing equations makes sure that the numbers of atoms of an element on one side of the equation are the same as those in the other side. This ensures that the law of conservation of matter is observed because matter cannot be destroyed or created in chemical reactions – therefore the mass of reactants must be the same as those of the products.