Alkanes

16. ​​ O/N 2017/P11/Q31

Octane, C8H18, is a hydrocarbon that undergoes combustion in a petrol engine.

...W...C8H18​​ + ...X...O2​​ → ...Y...CO2​​ + ...Z...H2O

Which row shows the figures​​ needed to balance the equation?
​​ 

Answer: ​​ D

Explaination

The above equation shows complete​​ combustion of alkane ​​ (octane) molecule as there is an excess of oxygen supply, the product are CO2​​ and H2O.

STEPS FOR BALANCING EQUATION

Step 1: number of C​​ atoms become moles of CO2.

Step 2: number of H atoms/2 becomes moles of H2O.

Step 3: total O2​​ on right hand side/2 becomes moles of O2​​ on left  ​​​​ hand side.

The final equation will be​​ on multiplying by 2 the entire equation.​​ 

C8H18​​ + 12.5O2​​ -------------->8CO2​​ + 9H20

(1 x2) ​​ ​​ (12.5 × 2= 25)  ​​​​  ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ (8×2= 16)  ​​ ​​​​ (9×2= 18)

2C8H18​​ + 25O2​​ -------------->16CO2​​ + 18H20