The
reaction is
C₂H₄ +
O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O
To balance the equation, both side have same
number of elements. Here,
In left hand side has in right hand side has
4 H atoms 2 H atoms
2 C atoms 1 C atom
2 O atoms 3 O
atoms
First, we have to balance number of C atoms and number of H atoms in both side.
To balance C atoms, '2' should be added before CO₂ and to balance H atoms, '2' should be added
before H₂O.
Then number of oxygen atoms is 2 x 2 + 2 = 6 in right hand side. So, 3 should be
added before O₂ in left hand side.
After balancing the equation should be,
C₂H₄ + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 2H₂O
