Question

Balance the following equation by oxidation number method.

C₆H₆ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂ O

Answer 1

(ii) Balance the changes in O.N. by multiplying the oxidant and reductant by suitable numbers

2 C₆H₆ + 15 O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

(iii) Balance the equation atomically (except O and H). 

2 C₆H₆ + 15 O₂ → 12 CO₂ + H₂O

(iv) Balance O atoms by adding one HzO molecule to the RHS for making the number of molecules of H₂O to be 6. 

2 C₆H₆ + 15 O₂ → 12 CO₂ + 6 H₂O