Question

Hydrocarbons, compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen, are important in fuels.The heat of combustion of cyclopentane, C5H10, is 786.6 kcal/mol.Write a balanced equation for the complete combustion of cyclopentane.

Answer 1

Answer : The balanced equation for the complete combustion of cyclopentane will be :

$2C_5H_{10}+15O_2\rightarrow 10CO_2+10H_2O$

Explanation :

As we know that the hydrocarbons can undergo complete or incomplete combustion that depends on the amount of oxygen available.

Complete combustion : It takes place when there is a good supply of oxygen. In this, hydrocarbon react with the oxygen to give carbon dioxide and water as a product.

The general reaction will be :

$\text{Hydrocarbon}+O_2\rightarrow CO_2+H_2O$

Incomplete combustion : It takes place when there is a poor supply of oxygen. In this, hydrocarbon react with the oxygen to give carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water as a product.

The general reaction will be :

$\text{Hydrocarbon}+O_2\text{(limited)}\rightarrow CO+CO_2+H_2O$

As per question, the complete combustion of cyclopentane react with oxygen to gives carbon dioxide and water as a product.

Therefore, the balanced chemical reaction will be :

$2C_5H_{10}+15O_2\rightarrow 10CO_2+10H_2O$