2 C8H18 + 25 O2 → 16 CO2 + 18 H2O
Explanation:
* C8H18: Octane, a hydrocarbon fuel.
* O2: Oxygen, the oxidizer.
* CO2: Carbon dioxide, a product of combustion.
* H2O: Water, another product of combustion.
Balancing the equation:
To balance the equation, we need the same number of atoms of each element on both sides. Here's how it works:
1. Carbon (C): There are 8 carbon atoms on the left side and 16 on the right, so we need to multiply the CO2 by 16.
2. Hydrogen (H): There are 18 hydrogen atoms on the left and 18 on the right.
3. Oxygen (O): There are 25 oxygen atoms on the right side and 34 on the left, so we need to multiply the O2 by 25.
What happens:
This reaction represents the burning of octane in the presence of oxygen. The products are carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy in the form of heat and light. This is the fundamental process that powers internal combustion engines in vehicles.
