Question

When one mole of a hydrocarbon is burnt it consumes two moles of oxygen to produce 2 moles of water, one mole of carbon dioxide and a large quantity of heat. Write the formula and name of the hydrocarbon. Is it a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon?

Answer 1

Step 1: Introduction

A combustion reaction occurs when fuel is oxidized by reacting with an oxidizing agent and energy is released .

The combustion reaction of Methane $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$ in the presence of two moles of Oxygen $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$ forms Carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$ and two moles of Water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ with the generation of heat.

Step 2: Chemical reaction

The complete and balanced chemical equation of the combustion reaction is written as:

${\mathrm{CH}}_4+2{\mathrm{O}}_2\to {\mathrm{CO}}_2+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}+\mathrm{Heat}$

Hence, one mole of Methane is required.

The molecular formula of Methane is$\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$.

Methane is a saturated hydrocarbon.