To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of carbon atoms on the reactant side (left side) matches the number of carbon atoms on the product side (right side).
Starting with the carbon atoms:
- On the reactant side, there are 4 carbon atoms from [tex]\( C_4H_{10} \)[/tex].
- On the product side, each [tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex] molecule contains 1 carbon atom.
To balance the carbon atoms, we need 4 [tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex] molecules on the product side because [tex]\( 4 \times 1 = 4 \)[/tex] carbon atoms.
Therefore, the coefficient in front of [tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex] should be 4. This will balance the carbon atoms on both sides of the equation.
So the balanced part of the equation with respect to carbon is:
[tex]\[ C_4H_{10} + \square O_2 \rightarrow 4 CO_2 + \square H_2O \][/tex]
