Question

Write and balance the combustion reactions of methane, ethane, and propane.

Answer 1

Complete combustion of hydrocarbons can be given by general equation as:

CxHy + x +(y/4)[O2] ---------> xCO2 + y/2[H2O]

So, for methane or can say: CH4 will be given as:

CH4 + 1 +(4/4)[O2] ---------> 1CO2 + 4/2[H2O]

CH4 + 2O2 ---------> 1CO2 + 2H2O

For ethane (C2H6):

C2H6 + 2 +(6/4)[O2] ---------> 2CO2 + 6/2[H2O]

C2H6 + 7/2O2 ---------> 2CO2 + 3H2O

For propane (C3H8):

C3H8 + 3 +(8/4)[O2] ---------> 3CO2 + 8/2[H2O]

C3H8 + 5O2 ---------> 3CO2 + 4H2O