The combustion of benzene, represented by the chemical formula C6H6, is a chemical reaction in which benzene reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write the combustion equation for benzene:

Step 1: Identify the reactants and products.

In this case, the reactants are benzene (C6H6) and oxygen (O2), and the products are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Step 2: Write the unbalanced chemical equation.

Using the reactants and products identified in step 1, we can write the unbalanced chemical equation as:

C6H6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O

Step 3: Balance the carbon atoms.

We start by balancing the carbon atoms. There are 6 carbon atoms on the left side of the equation (in C6H6), so we need to make sure there are 6 carbon atoms on the right side as well. By placing a coefficient of 6 in front of CO2, we achieve this:

C6H6 + O2 → 6CO2 + H2O

Step 4: Balance the hydrogen atoms.

Next, we balance the hydrogen atoms. There are 6 hydrogen atoms on the left side of the equation (in C6H6), so we need to have 6 hydrogen atoms on the right side as well. By placing a coefficient of 3 in front of H2O, we achieve this:

C6H6 + O2 → 6CO2 + 3H2O

Step 5: Balance the oxygen atoms.

Finally, we balance the oxygen atoms. There are 2 oxygen atoms on the left side of the equation (in O2), and there are a total of 12 oxygen atoms on the right side (in 6CO2 and 3H2O). To balance this, we need to place a coefficient of 15/2 in front of O2:

C6H6 + (15/2)O2 → 6CO2 + 3H2O

Step 6: Check for overall balance.

At this point, the equation is balanced with respect to all atoms. To ensure overall balance, we can verify that the total charge on both sides of the equation is equal. In this case, both sides have a total charge of 0, so the equation is balanced.

Therefore, the balanced combustion equation for benzene is:

C6H6 + (15/2)O2 → 6CO2 + 3H2O