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Topic: Any tips on balancing equations?  (Read 3872 times)

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Offline nepenthean

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Any tips on balancing equations?
« on: September 08, 2008, 03:30:32 AM »
C2H5OH  +   O2   -->  H20   +  CO2


My prof briefly described a shortcut, but I was preoccupied at the time. Does anyone know anyway to expedite the process without going back and forth? I am stumped on this one.

Regards,
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Offline Borek

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Re: Any tips on balancing equations?
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2008, 03:47:15 AM »
No idea about shortcuts, but if you start with carbon then hydrogen, it is straightforward.

Best shortcut I know is the balancing calculator ;)
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Offline nepenthean

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Re: Any tips on balancing equations?
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2008, 03:48:00 AM »
It is straightforward. Gosh, I can't believe I didn't see it. Thanks for your help though.
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Offline dabaichi

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Re: Any tips on balancing equations?
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2008, 05:11:38 PM »
A way to avoid going back and forth in balancing these types of combustion reaction is to focus on the coefficient of H2O. This is because you never want it to be an odd number otherwise the coefficient of O2 would not be a whole number.
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