The chemical equation
represents a combustion reaction. Combustion reactions involve the rapid combination of a hydrocarbon with oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water, and releasing energy.
The given chemical equation represents the combustion of hexane
in the presence of oxygen
. Combustion reactions involve the rapid reaction of a substance with oxygen, typically accompanied by the release of heat and light. In this specific reaction, hexane
, a hydrocarbon, reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide
and water
.
The balanced chemical equation is:
![\[2 C_6H_(14) (l) + 19 O_2 (g) \rightarrow 12 CO_2 (g) + 14 H_2O (g).\]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/chemistry/high-school/dvqflk4xf6zy1lcldltd27xzexjs19qqhl.png)
This is a combustion reaction as it involves the rapid combination of a hydrocarbon (hexane) with oxygen, resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide and water. Combustion reactions are characterized by the consumption of oxygen and the production of carbon dioxide and water as products. Additionally, combustion reactions are exothermic, meaning they release energy in the form of heat and light.