Balance the chemical equation below using the smallest possible whole number stoichiometric coefficients.

ch3(ch2)2ch3(g)+o2( co2(g) + h2o(g)

2C4H10(g) + 13O2(g)>8CO2(g) + 10H2O(g)

Explanation:

From the general formula for combustion of alkanes:

CnH2n+2 + 3n+1/2 O2> nCO2 + (n+1)H2O

We have:

C4H10(g) + 13/2 O2(g) > 4 CO2(g) + 5H2O(g)

Now we can multiply by 2 to obtain the lowest whole number coefficients

2C4H10(g) + 13O2 (g) >8CO2(g) + 10 H2O(g)

We had to multiply by two because it is the integer that will give us the lowest coefficient. Multiplying through by 2 will give the expected result.