Write the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of ethane, , and answer these questions. (Use the lowest possible coefficients. Omit states of matter.) How many molecules of oxygen would combine with 16 molecules of ethane in this reaction

1. 2C2H6 + 7O2 —> 4CO2 + 6H2O

2. 56moles of O2

Explanation:

Ethane undergo Combustion to produce CO2 and H20 according the equation below:

C2H6 + O2 —> CO2 + H2O

Let us balance the equation. There are 6 atoms of H on the left side and 2 atoms on the right side. It can be balanced by putting 3 in front of H2O as shown below:

C2H6 + O2 —> CO2 + 3H2O

There are 2 atoms of C on left and 1atom on the right. It can be balanced by putting 2 in front of CO2 as shown below:

C2H6 + O2 —> 2CO2 + 3H2O

There are a total of 7 atoms of O on the right and 2 atoms on the left. It can be balanced by putting 7/2 in front of O2 as shown below:

C2H6 + 7/2O2 —> 2CO2 + 3H2O

Now we multiply through by 2 to remove the fraction as shown below

2C2H6 + 7O2 —> 4CO2 + 6H2O

Now the equation is balanced

2. 2C2H6 + 7O2 —> 4CO2 + 6H2O

From the equation above,

2 moles of ethane(C2H6) combined with 7moles of O2.

Therefore, 16moles of ethane(C2H6) will combine with = (16x7)/2 = 56moles of O2