Question

A hydrocarbon c10hx requires 32.5 moles of o2 for combustion of 2.5 moles. Calculate value of x? (a) 24 (b) 32 (c) 12 (d) 22

Answer 1

A hydrocarbon c10hx requires 32.5 moles of o2 for combustion of 2.5 moles.

Explanation:

We first start with the combustion equation:

C10Hx + O₂ --> CO₂ + H₂O

Find the whole number ratio of O₂ to C10Hx

32.5 / 2.5 = 13

We then balance carbon and oxygen:

C₁₀Hx + 13 O₂ --> 10 CO₂ + 6 H₂O

Then the value of x to balance the hydrogen atoms  will be 12.

C₁₀H₁₂ + 13 O₂ --> 10 CO₂ + 3 H₂O