To balance the given chemical equation for the combustion of propane [tex]\( \text{C}_3\text{H}_8 \)[/tex], follow these steps:
1. Identify the unbalanced chemical equation:
[tex]\[
\_ \text{C}_3\text{H}_8 (g) + \ldots \text{O}_2 (g) \rightarrow \_ \text{CO}_2 (g) + \ldots \text{H}_2\text{O} (l)
\][/tex]
2. Balance the carbon (C) atoms:
- Propane ([tex]\(\text{C}_3\text{H}_8\)[/tex]) has 3 carbon atoms.
- To balance the carbon atoms, we need an equal number of carbon atoms on the product side.
- Each molecule of [tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex] contains one carbon atom.
3. Determine the coefficient for [tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex]:
- Since there are 3 carbon atoms in propane, we need 3 molecules of [tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex] to balance the carbon atoms.
Thus, the coefficient for [tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex] is [tex]\(\boxed{3}\)[/tex].
With this coefficient, the partially balanced equation becomes:
[tex]\(\text{C}_3\text{H}_8 (g) + \ldots \text{O}_2 (g) \rightarrow 3 \text{CO}_2 (g) + \ldots \text{H}_2\text{O} (l)\)[/tex].