Question

Calculate the volume of oxygen required to burn 12.00 L of ethane gas, C₂H₆, to produce carbon dioxide and water, if the volumes of C₂H₆ and O₂ are measured under the same conditions of temperature and pressure.

a) 18.00 L
b) 24.00 L
c) 36.00 L
d) 12.00 L

Answer 1

The volume of oxygen required to burn 12.00 L of ethane is 42.00 L, calculated using the correct stoichiometry of the combustion reaction of ethane. However, since this value is not an option and the question contains typos, it suggests there may be a mistake in the question itself.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the volume of oxygen required to burn 12.00 L of ethane gas (C₂H₆) and produce carbon dioxide and water, we must understand the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of ethane:

2 C₂H₆(g) + 7 O₂(g) → 4 CO₂(g) + 6 H₂O(g)

According to the stoichiometry of the reaction, 2 volumes of ethane will react with 7 volumes of oxygen, so 1 volume of ethane will react with 3.5 volumes of oxygen.

Therefore, if we have 12.00 L of ethane gas, we need 12.00 L × 3.5 = 42.00 L of oxygen. However, this option is not listed in the multiple choices given because of a typo in the question. The correct balanced chemical equation for combustion of ethane is:

2 C₂H₆(g) + 7 O₂(g) → 4 CO₂(g) + 6 H₂O(g)

Using this correct equation, we find that 12.00 L of ethane will react with 12.00 L × 3.5 = 42.00 L of oxygen, which, after noticing that none of the options match, we should infer that the question contains a mistake.