Propane gas (c3h8 ) combusts with oxygen gas (o2 ) to form water (h2o) and carbon dioxide (co2 ). write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction and explain the scientific principle (statement) that requires the balancing of an equation to make it conform to reality.

C3H8 + 5O2 → 4H2O + 3CO2.

Explanation:

let the balanced equation be A C3H8 + B O2 → C H2O + D CO2.

eqauting carbon hydrogen and oxygen on both sides

we get 3A = D , 8A = 2C, 2B = C + 2D

solving these three equations we get C = 4A and B = 5A

let  A = 1

we get B = 5 , C = 4, D=3

therefore the equation becomes

C3H8 + 5O2 → 4H2O + 3CO2.

mass must be conserved on both side of the equation so as to make the reaction possible as energy can neither be created nor be destroyed.

b. accuracy of the data matters alot more than its number of digits, organization or amount of detail. quantitative observation is more accepted than the qualitative observation.