Question

some engines run on diesel fuel (c12h24), which provides some advantages and disadvantages. on a separate piece of paper, write a balanced equation for the complete combustion of diesel. (diesel reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water). check your work by pressing suggested answer. identify the mole ratios that exist between diesel and oxygen and between diesel and carbon dioxide. select the correct answer, then press submit to find out how you did. question 1 of 2 diesel: oxygen

Explanation:

Step1: Write the un - balanced combustion equation

The un - balanced equation for the combustion of diesel ($C_{12}H_{24}$) is $C_{12}H_{24}+O_2
ightarrow CO_2 + H_2O$.

Step2: Balance carbon atoms

There are 12 carbon atoms in $C_{12}H_{24}$. So, we need 12 moles of $CO_2$ on the product side. The equation becomes $C_{12}H_{24}+O_2
ightarrow12CO_2 + H_2O$.

Step3: Balance hydrogen atoms

There are 24 hydrogen atoms in $C_{12}H_{24}$. So, we need 12 moles of $H_2O$ on the product side. The equation is now $C_{12}H_{24}+O_2
ightarrow12CO_2+12H_2O$.

Step4: Balance oxygen atoms

On the right - hand side, we have $12\times2 + 12\times1=36$ oxygen atoms. So, we need 18 moles of $O_2$ on the left - hand side. The balanced equation is $C_{12}H_{24}+18O_2
ightarrow12CO_2 + 12H_2O$.

Step5: Determine mole ratios

The mole ratio of diesel to oxygen is $1:18$. The mole ratio of diesel to carbon dioxide is $1:12$.

Answer:

The mole ratio of diesel to oxygen is $1:18$ and the mole ratio of diesel to carbon dioxide is $1:12$.