Question

It is the middle of January and an ice storm has hit Markham. Ice has built up on the electrical wires, connected to your home, causing them to snap and disconnecting the hydroelectric power to your home. Since you heat your home with an electric furnace, you now need to find an alternate source of heat. A family member has suggested bringing a propane (chemical formula = C3H8) heater into your bedroom, and closing the door to trap the heat so that you can stay warm through the night.

a) Use a chemical equation to show what might happen to the propane in this situation.

Answer 1

The combustion of propane (C3H8) in a heater involves reacting with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), releasing heat. The balanced equation for this exothermic reaction is: C3H8(l) + 5O2(g) → 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l). Adequate ventilation is necessary during this process.

Step-by-step explanation:

To show what might happen to the propane when used in a heater, we can write a balanced chemical equation for the combustion of propane. Propane (C3H8) will react with oxygen (O2) from the air to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The balanced equation is:

C3H8(l) + 5O2(g) → 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l)

This reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat, which is why propane is often used for heating purposes. However, it is important to note that adequate ventilation is needed to prevent the accumulation of carbon dioxide and ensure a supply of oxygen for continuous combustion.