What's missing from this chemical reaction that shows the combustion of propane? [tex]C _3 H _8+ O _2 \rightarrow H _2 O + CO _2[/tex]
Answer Options:
A. Methane as a secondary product
B. The release of heat with the products
C. An intermediary transition to butane
D. The absorption of heat by the reactants
Answer (2)
Combustion reactions release heat.
The given reaction C 3 H 8 + O 2 → H 2 O + C O 2 is missing the release of heat.
The missing component is the release of heat with the products.
Therefore, the correct answer is the release of heat with the products. T h ere l e a seo f h e a tw i t h t h e p ro d u c t s
Explanation
Understanding Combustion The given chemical reaction represents the combustion of propane ( C 3 H 8 ) with oxygen ( O 2 ) to produce water ( H 2 O ) and carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ). However, it's missing a crucial aspect of combustion reactions.
Exothermic Nature of Combustion Combustion is an exothermic reaction, meaning it releases energy in the form of heat. The general form of a combustion reaction is:
Fuel + Oxygen → Water + Carbon Dioxide + Heat
Identifying the Missing Component The provided reaction only shows the chemical species involved but omits the energy released. Therefore, the missing component is the release of heat with the products.
Examples
Combustion reactions are used every day to generate energy. For example, burning natural gas in a furnace heats homes, and the combustion of gasoline in a car engine provides the power to drive. Understanding that these reactions release heat is crucial for designing efficient and safe energy systems. In the case of propane combustion, the heat released can be calculated using calorimetry, where the temperature change of a known mass of water is measured to determine the energy output. This principle is also applied in industrial processes where combustion is used to produce steam for electricity generation or to provide heat for chemical reactions.
The missing component in the combustion reaction of propane is the release of heat. Combustion is an exothermic reaction, which means it gives off energy. Therefore, the correct answer is that the reaction is missing the release of heat with the products.
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