Which set of numbers correctly balances the chemical equation below, describing the combustion of hexane?
2 C_XH_Y + 19 O₂ $\rightarrow$ Z CO₂ + 14 H₂O + energy

Question

Which set of numbers correctly balances the chemical equation below, describing the combustion of hexane? 2 C_XH_Y + 19 O₂ $\rightarrow$ Z CO₂ + 14 H₂O + energy

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Counting the atoms of each element:

On the left side: 
- Carbon: 2 
- Hydrogen: 12 
- Oxygen: 38 
- Fluorine: 3

On the right side: 
- Carbon: 1 
- Hydrogen: 14 
- Oxygen: 28 
- Fluorine: 0

We can balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients of each compound:

2 C6H12O + 19 O2 -> 12 CO2 + 12 H2O

This gives us: 
- Carbon: 2 = 2 
- Hydrogen: 12 = 12 
- Oxygen: 38 = 38 
- Fluorine: 3 = 0

Therefore, we need 12 CO2 and 12 H2O, so Z = 12, X = 6, and Y = 14.

Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Which Set of Numbers Correctly Balances the Chemical Equation Below →\rightarrow→

Which Set of Numbers Correctly Balances the Chemical Equation Below $\rightarrow$