In the combustion reaction of alkanes, if 1 mole of ethane is burnt, find number of moles of oxygen required?

Step-by-step solution

The general equation for the combustion of an alkane C_nH_ 2n+2 is given by: C_nH_ 2n+2 + ( 3n+1 2 ) O₂ n CO₂ + (n+1) H₂O For ethane ( C₂H₆ ), n = 2 . Substituting n = 2 in the coefficient of O₂ : Moles of O₂ required = 3(2)+1 2 = 7 2 = 3.5 The balanced chemical equation is: C₂H₆ + 3.5 O₂ 2 CO₂ + 3 H₂O Thus, 1 mole of ethane requires 3.5 moles of oxygen. Answer: 3.5