Question

How is the complete combustion of hexanes represented in a chemical reaction?

Answer 1

`C_6H_14(l) + 19/2O_2(g) rarr 6CO_2(g) +7H_2O(l) +Delta`

Explanation:

Is charge balanced? Tick. Is mass balanced? Tick.

The `Delta` symbol represents the fact that this is an exothermic reaction, and the `"heat"` evolved may be utilized to do `"work"`.

Most such combustion reactions, certainly in the `"internal combustion engine"`, exhibit incomplete reaction, and both `CO(g)` and particulate `C(s)` are oxidation products.

Answer 2

`2C_6H_14 (l) + 19O_2 (g) rarr 12CO_2 (g)+ 14 H_2O (g)`

Explanation:

Write the (first unbalanced) chemical equation:

`C_6H_14 (l) + O_2 (g) rarr CO_2 (g)+ H_2O (g)`

Balanced:

`2C_6H_14 (l) + 19O_2 (g) rarr 12CO_2 (g)+ 14 H_2O (g)`