Carbon dioxide and water are produced when pentane (C5H12) reacts with oxygen. What are the coefficients for this reaction?

C5H12 + 8O2 - > 5CO2 + 6H2O

The coefficients are 1, 8, 5,6

Explanation:

The equation for the reaction is given below:

C5H12 + O2 - > CO2 + H2O

Now let us balance the equation. This is illustrated below:

There are 5 atoms of C on the left side and 1atom on the right side. It can be balance by putting 5 in front of CO2 as illustrated below:

C5H12 + O2 - > 5CO2 + H2O

There are 12 atoms of H on the left side and 2atoms on the right. It can be balance by putting 6 in front of H2O as illustrated below:

C5H12 + O2 - > 5CO2 + 6H2O

There are a total of 16 atoms of O on the right side and 2atoms on the left side. It will be balance by putting 8 in front of O2 as illustrated below:

C5H12 + 8O2 - > 5CO2 + 6H2O

Now we see clearly that the equation is balanced as the number of atoms of the different elements on both sides of the equation are the same.

The coefficients are 1, 8, 5,6