How would you balance the combustion reaction between octane and oxygen: 2C8H18 + O2 → CO2 + H2O?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 3, 2015

#C_8H_18 +25/2O_2 rarr 8CO_2 + 9H_2O#

Explanation:

Is the above equation balanced? Don't trust my arithmetic. What would be the physical states of each participant in the reaction? Internal combustion engines rarely combust gas this cleanly, and a lot of #C# particulate, and #CO# gas are given off.

If (say) 1 equiv each of #C# and #CO# were given off by the combustion, how would I balance this reaction?

#C_8H_18 + xO_2 rarr yCO_2 + C + CO +9H_2O#

Would the energy output be the same?

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