Question

The balance equation for the complete combustion of ethane is:
A. $2{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}+5{{O}_{2}}\to 4C{{O}_{2}}+2{{H}_{2}}O+Heat$
B. $2{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}+7{{O}_{2}}\to 4C{{O}_{2}}+6{{H}_{2}}O+Heat$
C. ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}+7{{O}_{2}}\to 2C{{O}_{2}}+3{{H}_{2}}O+Heat$
D. ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}+5{{O}_{2}}\to 2C{{O}_{2}}+3{{H}_{2}}O+Heat$

Answer 1

Hint: Ethane is an alkane represented by the chemical formula ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}$. It is kept in the category of hydrocarbons as it is one of the hydrocarbon components of natural gas which is generally a fossil fuel. Purest form of ethane is colorless and odorless in nature.

Complete Solution :
- Balanced equations represent those reactions in which the reactants are exactly equal to the product i.e. the number of compounds remains same throughout the reaction. Combustion reaction is generally a chemical reaction in which a fuel undergoes oxidation by reacting with an oxidizing agent that usually releases energy in the form of heat. Combustion reactions are generally highly exothermic redox reactions between an oxidant and a fuel. The product formed in a combustion reaction is usually the oxidized fuel.
- Ethane undergoes hydrocarbon combustion in which ethane is combined with oxygen and form carbon dioxide and the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of ethane is represented by:
$2{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}+7{{O}_{2}}\to 4C{{O}_{2}}+6{{H}_{2}}O+Heat$
Since in this case we can consider that the hydrocarbon combustion reaction releases heat energy and is an example of an exothermic reaction i.e. those reactions in which a large amount of heat is produced.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: Combustion reactions are further categorized into two reactions known as complete combustion and incomplete combustion reactions in which complete combustion involve the complete oxidation of the fuel while incomplete combustion is formed by products like ash and soot.