Final answer:
Using stoichiometry based on the balanced equation, 7.7 moles of CO2 should be produced from 12.5 moles of O2. However, the closest provided answer choice to the correct answer is 5 moles of CO2, indicating an error in the question or the answer choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how many moles of CO2 gas will be produced if 12.5 moles of O2 are used in the reaction given by the equation 2C4H10 + 13O2 --> 8CO2 + 10H2O. To solve this, we need to use the stoichiometric relationship between O2 and CO2 as it appears in the balanced chemical equation.
According to the equation, for every 13 moles of O2, 8 moles of CO2 are produced. We have 12.5 moles of O2, so we can set up a proportion:
13 mol O2 / 8 mol CO2 = 12.5 mol O2 / x mol CO2
Solving for x gives us x = (12.5 mol O2 * 8 mol CO2) / 13 mol O2 = 7.692 mol CO2, which we round to 7.7 moles based on significant figures from the original problem.
Since 7.7 is not one of the answer choices and is closest to option (a) 5 moles of CO2, there seems to be a mistake in the question or the answer choices provided. Under normal circumstances, 7.7 would be the correct answer but the closest choice based on the ones given is 5 moles of CO2.