When propane interacts with oxygen, a chemical reaction occurs, creating carbon dioxide and water. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is shown below.
C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O

Based on the information above, which of the following is true?
 

Explanation

If you know that the 5O2 on the left-hand side of the equation represents oxygen, then you know that the C3H8 must represent the propane. Since there is no large number in front of the C3H8 , you know that there is only one molecule of propane. Eliminate (B), since you do not have eleven units of propane. The right-hand side of the equation shows that the equation results in 4H2O, or four water molecules. Thus, you can eliminate (A), which says that one molecule of water results. Finally, the right-hand side of the equation also indicates that the reaction creates 3CO2 . Since the 4H2O represents the water molecules, the 3CO2 must represent the carbon dioxide molecules. Note that the number 3 appears in front, which means that you must have three carbon dioxide molecules. Eliminate (D), which states that the reaction creates one molecule of carbon dioxide. Only (C) remains, so it is the correct answer

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