3 A compound composed of carbon and hydrogen with the formul

3. A compound composed of carbon and hydrogen with the formula C,H, was burned. The balanced equation is shown below. 2C,Hy 1502(g) + 12 CO2(g) 6H20(g) -+ + Using only the information found within the chemical equation, determine what number x equals and what number y equals and write the correct formula for the compound.

Solution

3) formula of compound = C₆H₆

balanced equation :

2 CxHy    +   15 O2 (g)    -----------------> 12 CO2 (g)   + 6 H2O (g)

for balancing :

number of atoms in product side = number of atoms in reactant side

on product side :

number of C atoms = 12

number of H atoms = 12

so in reactant side also should have 12 C and 12 H atoms.

so

formula of compound = C₆H₆

2 C6H6    +   15 O2 (g)    -----------------> 12 CO2 (g)   + 6 H2O (g)