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Balancing Equation

I have this equation and I spent 10 minutes trying to balance it....but I didn't succeed.....

2CH3OH + O2 ---> 2CH2O +2H2O

Anyone?

Reply 1

iceman_jondoe

Ch3oh + 1/2 O2 ------> Ch2o + H2o :smile:

Reply 2

Christophicus

galadriel100

I have this equation and I spent 10 minutes trying to balance it....but I didn't succeed.....

2CH3OH + O2 ---> 2CH2O +2H2O

Anyone?

aCH3OH + bO2 ---> cCH2O + dH2O

LHS
C x a
H x 4a
O x (a+2b)

RHS
C x c
H x (2c+2d)
O x (c+d)

a = c (1)
4a = 2c + 2d (2)
a + 2b = c + d (3)

(1) into (2)
4c = 2c + 2d
2c = 2d
c = d

a = c = d

2b = d
b = d/2

So a = 2, b = 1, c = 2, d = 2

So I think you've balanced it correctly.