Question

Given below is the balanced equation for the combustion of decane. 2C10H22 (l) + 31O2 (g) --> 20CO2 (g) + 22H2O (g) What is the ratio of carbon dioxide molecules to oxygen molecules?

Answer 1

Answer: The ratio of carbon dioxide molecules to oxygen molecules is 20 :31

Explanation:

Combustion is a chemical reaction in which hydrocarbons are burnt in the presence of oxygen to give carbon dioxide and water.

According to the law of conservation of mass, mass can neither be created nor be destroyed. Thus the mass of products has to be equal to the mass of reactants. The number of atoms of each element has to be same on reactant and product side. Thus chemical equations are balanced.

The balanced combustion reaction is,:

$2C_{10}H_{22}(l)+31O_2(g)\rightarrow 20CO_2(g)+22H_2O(g)$

Thus the ratio of carbon dioxide molecules to oxygen molecules is 20 : 31