Final answer:
Using stoichiometry and the balanced equation for the combustion of ethane, it is determined that 8 mol of CO2 will be produced when 5 mol of ethane reacts with 16 mol of O2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how many moles of CO₂ will be produced when 5 mol of ethane (C₂H₆) is combusted with 16 mol of O₂, we use the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of ethane:
2 C₂H₆ (g) + 7 O₂ (g) → 4 CO₂ (g) + 6 H₂O (g)
According to the equation, 2 mol of ethane reacts with 7 mol of oxygen to produce 4 mol of carbon dioxide. Since the student has 5 mol of ethane, we calculate how much CO₂ will be produced based on the molar ratio from the equation. To ensure the oxygen is not the limiting reactant, we divide 16 mol of O₂ by 7 mol per reaction to see how many full reactions can occur:
16 mol O₂ ÷ 7 mol O₂/reaction = 2.29 reactions
Now, using the stoichiometry, we multiply the number of full reactions (2) by the moles of CO₂ produced per reaction (4 mol):
2 reactions × 4 mol CO₂/reaction = 8 mol CO₂
Therefore, when 5 mol of ethane reacts with 16 mol of oxygen, 8 mol of CO₂ will be produced.