Question

Hydrocarbons, such as methane (CH4) or propane (C3H8), are chemical compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen. When a hydrocarbon undergoes combustion, it reacts with _______ and produces _______.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Combustion is defined as the reaction in which a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen and leads to the formation of carbon dioxide and water.

For example, $CH_{4} + 2O_{2} \rightarrow CO_{2} + 2H_{2}O$

$C_{3}H_{8} + 5O_{2} \rightarrow 3CO_{2} + 4H_{2}O$

According to law of conservation of mass, mass of reactants will be equal to the mass of products formed because mass can neither be created nor it can be destroyed. It simply changes into one form to another.

Thus, we can conclude that when a hydrocarbon undergoes combustion, it reacts with oxygen and produces carbon dioxide and water.

Answer 2

Hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water if it is complete combustion. But during incomplete combustion carbon mono oxide and water are formed.