Carbon dioxide and water are produced when pentane (c5h12) reacts with oxygen. what is the balanced equation for this reaction? c5h12(g) + o2(g) → co2(g) + h2o(g) c5h12(g) + o2(g) → 5co2(g) + h2o(g) c5h12(g) +8o2(g) → 5co2(g) + 6h2o(g) 5co2(g) + 6h2o(g) → c5h12(g) + 8o2(g) c5h12(g) +5o2(g) → 5co2(g) + 6h2(g) ch2(g) +o2(g) → co2(g) + h2(g)

C₅H₁₂(g) +8O₂(g) → 5CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(g)

Explanation:

I recommend to follow the whole process from the reactants to the products.

1) Word equation:

pentane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

This is a combustion (oxidation) reaction of an hydrocarbon.

2)  Chemical equation:

C₅H₁₂(g) +O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + H₂O(g

3) As per the mass conservation law,  in a chemical reaction, the number of each kind of atoms in the reactants must be equal to the number of the same kind of atoms in the products, which implies that you must add the coefficients required to balance the two sides of the reaction.

       C₅H₁₂(g) +O₂(g) → 5CO₂(g) + H₂O(g)

       C₅H₁₂(g) + O₂(g) → 5CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(g)

       C₅H₁₂(g) +8O₂(g) → 5CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(g)

Finally, there are 5 atoms of C, 16 atoms of O, and 12 atoms of H on each side, and the equation is balanced.