Combustion Reactions

C2H6 + O2 CO2 + H2O

C2H6 + 3 1/2 O2 2 CO2 + 3 H2O

2 – C- 2

6 -H–6

7–O–7

To eliminate the coefficient fraction, the equation should be multiplied by a number to make all the
coefficients whole number. In this case the whole equation will be multiplied by 2.

2(C2H6 + 3 1/2 O2 2 CO2 + 3 H2O)

The result will be 2C2H6 + 7 O2 4 CO2 + 6 H2O Check if the number of atoms are equal:

4 – C- 4

12 - H – 12

14 – O – 14

Other example of redox reaction

P + HNO3 + H2O NO + H3PO4

0 +1+5 -2 +2-2 +1+5-2

0 +5
P P + 5e (loss of 5e) oxidation

+5 +2
N + 3e- N (gain of 3e -) reduction

Multiply the no. of electrons lost by the reduction process. Multiply the no. of electrons gained by the
oxidation process
+5 +2 +5 +2
5( N + 3e- N ) = 5N + 15e- 5N

0 +5 0 +5
3(P P + 5e -) = 3P 3P + 15e - Add the two reactions.
+5 0 +2 +5
5N + 3P 5N + 3P
Put the corresponding coefficients in the original solution .

3P + 5HNO3 + 2 H2O 5 NO + 3 H3PO4 Check if the number of atoms are equal.

3 - P–3

5 - N - 5

9- 7 - H - 9

17 - O - 17