# Write the balanced equation for the complete combustion of hexene (C6H12)

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The easiest way to balance any combustion equation is to first write the general form.  In a combustion reaction the products are always carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (HOH) and the reactants are the organic material plus oxygen (O2).

General Form:

C6H6 +  O2 -->   CO2  +  HOH

Now start by balancing the carbon atoms:

six carbons on the left so you need 6 on the right.

C6H6   +   O2   --->    6 CO2  +  HOH

Next balance the hydrogen atoms:

6 on the left, so you need 6 on the right.

C6H6  +   O2 -->   6 CO2    +   3  HOH

Now count the number of oxygen on the right = 12 + 3 = 15

divide the number on the right by 2 to get the number needed on the left.   15/2 = 7.5

C6H6  +  7.5  O2 -->  6 CO2  +  3 HOH

But the rule is that coefficients have to be whole numbers.  So multiple both sides by 2 to get the final balanced equation.

2 C6H6 + 15  O2  -->  12 CO2   + 6 HOH

To be sure, count the number of each element on each side:

On the left you have 12 C, 12 H, 30 O

On the right you have 12 C, 12 H, 30 O so it is balanced.
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