Unit 5 Assessment:Balancing Equ Balance the following equation: vee C_(8)H_(18)+vee O_(2)arrow vee CO_(2)+vee vee H_(2)O

## Step 1<br />The given equation is a combustion reaction where octane (C8H18) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). To balance this equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />First, we balance the carbon atoms. There are 8 carbon atoms in octane, so we need 8 molecules of carbon dioxide on the product side.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Next, we balance the hydrogen atoms. There are 18 hydrogen atoms in octane, so we need 9 molecules of water on the product side.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Finally, we balance the oxygen atoms. There are 16 oxygen atoms in 8 molecules of carbon dioxide and 9 oxygen atoms in 9 molecules of water, making a total of 25 oxygen atoms on the product side. Therefore, we need 12.5 molecules of oxygen on the reactant side.