Final answer:
The balanced equation for the complete combustion of linoleic acid (C18H32O2) is C18H32O2(l) + 26O2(g) → 18CO2(g) + 16H2O(l), where linoleic acid reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water while conserving mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of linoleic acid (C18H32O2) is:
C18H32O2(l) + 26O2(g) → 18CO2(g) + 16H2O(l)
In this combustion reaction, linoleic acid reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water as products. To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the same number of each type of atom appears on both sides of the equation. For the linoleic acid molecule, which contains 18 carbon atoms, 32 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms, the combustion process will require 26 molecules of oxygen gas. The result yields 18 molecules of carbon dioxide and 16 molecules of water, indicating that the equation conserves mass as per the law of conservation of mass.